Workers look at a crashed plane in Recife, Brazil. A regional airliner crashed in the northeastern city in Brazil Monday, killing all 16 people on board, the nation's Air Force said. The crew of the twin-turboprop aircraft belonging to Noar Airlines reported problems shortly after taking off about 7 a.m. local time from the city of Recife en route to the city of Natal. (AP)

Brazil plane crashes after take-off, 16 dead

An airplane crashed shortly after take-off from Brazil's northeastern city of Recife early on Wednesday, killing all 16 people on board, rescue and air force officials said.

The plane, operated by small regional airline Noar, plunged into scrubland near a highway after taking off at 6:51 a.m. local time (0951 GMT) for its planned journey to another northeastern city, Natal.

Television images showed the body of the plane smashed into small pieces of debris with only the tail section remaining partly intact.

According to a statement from Brazil's Air Force, the pilot reported mechanical problems shortly after take-off and tried to make an emergency landing on a beach.

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