Mexico City, March 16 (teleSUR-RHC) Mexican authorities reported late Saturday that five people died after their small plane crashed in the northern state of Chihuahua.

The cause of the accident was due to mechanical failure, official sources reported. The aircraft fell onto a rural property in the municipality of Santa Barbara, located some 160 miles south of the state capital. No victims were reported on the ground.

Civil Aviation officials of the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) has launched an investigation to confirm the cause of the accident.

The aircraft’s pilot was identified as Miguel Angel Pando, who had a valid license. The passengers have been identified as Daniel Hiram Loya Lazcano, 20, Manuel Aaron Lazcano Velazquez, 24, Joel David Lazcano Bustillo, 20, and Alfredo Hernandez Vazquez, a minor whose age was not reported.

According to the preliminary police report, the five people aboard died immediately; members of the National Defense cordoned off the accident place.