Associated Press - October 5, 2009 7:24 PM ET

CROWN KING, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities say the wreckage of a small plane was found Monday in northern Arizona and at least one person has been killed.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the single-engine plane had departed Sunday from St. Johns and was supposed to arrive in Aguila the same day. When it didn't show up, relatives notified authorities.

The FAA registry shows the plane belongs to a company in Aguila, a town west of Wickenburg.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says at least one fatality was confirmed but it was unclear how many people were aboard the plane.

Authorities say ground crews working a 1-acre wildfire in a mountainous area just south of Crown King discovered the wreckage in a remote area.

Arizona Bureau of Land Management spokesman Ken Shaver says firefighters were unaware of reports of a missing plane beforehand.

Shaver says the crash scene has been secured and National Transportation Safety Board officials would be handling the investigation.

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