Civilian Plane Crashes Near Twentynine Palms Marine Base

A wreckage of a civilian aircraft reported overdue at its destination was found in the Southern California desert near the town of Ludlow, north of the Twentynine Palms Marine Base, according to base officials.

A base spokesman said they received a report of the plane crash late Tuesday night, and at first thought it happened on-base.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was dispatched, and pilots discovered the wreckage just north of the base near Interstate 40.

San Bernardino County investigators told News Channel 3 the plane took off from Porterville, Calif, on Tuesday, which is southwest of Fresno. Their team arrived on the scene Wednesday morning to begin their part of the investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have also been notified.

There is no word on what type of aircraft was found, who was on-board, or where the plane was headed.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for more on this developing story.