The Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating a plane crash that occurred just north of the Midwest National Air Center near Mosby earlier Wednesday, August 27.

Clay County dispatchers received emergency calls reporting heavy smoke rising from a field near NE 140th Street and Rhodus Road shortly before noon. Witnesses suspected the smoke was the result of an aircraft accident.

Deputies arrived promptly at the scene and discovered a Cessna C340 fully engulfed in flames in a soybean field. The aircraft was found with at least two occupants inside, both of whom have been confirmed deceased. Initial details suggest the plane had been attempting to land at the Midwest National Air Center, and preliminary information indicates it may have originated from an airport outside the St. Louis metro area.

Investigators are currently working to identify the occupants of the plane. Once identification is complete, authorities will notify the next of kin before releasing the names to the public. Until then, the identities of those involved remain undisclosed.

As a result of the crash, air traffic at the Midwest National Air Center remains suspended until 5 p.m. on August 27 to allow investigators to safely work at the site. The Clay County Sheriff's Office has also notified the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which will take over the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.