(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-04 10:18

WASHINGTON -- A small plane hit another plane when landing at an Idaho airport, leaving three killed and three others injured, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.

Citing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Idaho Statesman report said that the two planes, both Cessna 172, were engulfed in flames after they hit against each other at the McCall airport on Friday evening.

Bill Keating, the 52-year-old pilot of the plane that was struck, died along with his two grandchildren, according to the report.

The pilot of the other plane, Justin Mooney, and his passenger survived with another of Keating's grandchildren, who has been airlifted to hospital, it added.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said that the tragedy took place as Mooney was flying the plane from McCall from Spokane of Washington State.

He also said that the cause of the collision is still under investigation and it could take months to conclude.