Weather hampers probe of S.D. plane crash that killed 9

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — Harsh weather Sunday prevented federal investigators from reaching the site where a single-engine plane crashed a day earlier, killing nine people and injuring three others.

Peter Knudson with the National Transportation Safety Board said three investigators were stuck in Sioux Falls, about 140 miles east of the crash site in Chamberlain, in southcentral South Dakota.

Twelve people were aboard the Pilatus PC-12 bound for Idaho Falls, Idaho, when it crashed a mile after takeoff about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, he said.

Authorities have not released the names of the victims. A Brule County official told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that passengers ranged in age from 7 to 81. The three survivors were men ages 28, 27 and 17.