THOMSON, Ga. - Federal authorities say a small plane aborted its landing at a Georgia airport before it hit a utility pole and crashed, killing five people onboard and leaving two hurt.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the scene Thursday. NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt says the plane hit a 60-foot utility pole before crashing.

The plane then burst into flames. Sumwalt says it is not immediately known why the plane aborted its landing. He says one of the plane's wings was cut off when it hit the pole, causing the plane to leak fuel that then ignited.

He says the plane broke into pieces and is almost completely burned out.