A regional plane rammed in the northeastern city of Recife early on Wednesday, killing all 16 people on board, Brazil's Air Force has declared.

The Noar Airlines twin-turboprop aircraft reported troubles shortly after taking off early Wednesday morning. The pilot tried an emergency landing, and after hitting the ground hard, the plane crashed into a vacant lot at Recife airport and subsequently burst into flames.

Witnesses said that one passenger was making pleading gestures for help through the airplane window, but it exploded before anyone could respond.

Recife Fire Chief Valdyr Oliveira told Estado radio that the fire was controlled quickly and that investigators are working at the scene for clues as to why the plane went down.

The Air Force said the plane that crashed was a L-410, built by LET Aircraft Industries in the Czech Republic. It had a capability for 19 passengers, according to Noar’s website, along with a crew of two.