Two people are dead after a small plane crashed near the Muskoka Airport on Friday evening.

The crash occurred around 5 p.m. near Hwy. 11 beside Gravenhurst Pkwy., which is about two kilometres from the airport, said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Mark Kinney.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada was notified about the incident on Friday night and they are investigating the cause of the crash.

TSB spokesperson Chris Krepeski said the plane, which was a Lake LA-4 aircraft, crashed “shortly after” taking off from the Muskoka Airport.

He said the first stages of the on-site investigation will take up to two days.

There were only two people on board the plane, and they were pronounced dead at the scene, said commander from Muskoka Paramedics Services Kayella Mackenzie.

Jason Harnett was driving northbound on Highway 11 just after the crash and he said the plane was about five feet away from the road.

“The plane was badly mangled, but no visible smoke or flames coming from it.”

He said the incident could have been much worse if the plane crashed on the road since it was busy during rush hour.