1 man is dead after fatal plane crash

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (KQTV) -- One man is dead following a fatal plane crash around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday morning.

According to reporters on scene, the plane was on fire on the east side of Spirit of St. Louis Airport, located near Interstate 64, a few miles from the Missouri River.

The aircraft was an Aero Commander 500B, a small cargo plane that crashed short of the runway.

The crash reportedly occurred on the east end of the south airport runway.

Only the pilot, an adult male, was on the aircraft at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.

St. Louis County and Chesterfield Police are investigating the crash. The FAA has also been contacted.

The cause of the crash is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.