A single-engine plane crashed Monday afternoon in a field in Lee County, killing a family of four, authorities said.

The plane went down near Raleigh Executive Airport in Sanford, North Carolina, State Highway Patrol Sgt. Marcus Bethea said. Three of the four occupants were dead at the scene, and the fourth was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Travis Buchanan, 35; Candace Buchanan, 35; Aubrey Buchanan, 10; and Walker Buchanan, 9, were killed, Bethea said.

The family is connected with the well-known Buchanan Family Farms in Sanford, the highway patrol said.

Grace Christian School in Sanford late Monday evening expressed condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Aubrey and Walker Buchanan.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families," the school said in a Facebook post. "During this incredibly difficult time, we stand together in support of their family and one another."

Aubrey Buchanan would have entered fifth grade and Walker Buchanan would have gone on to fourth grade, the school said.

The Cirrus SR22 crashed about 1:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. Troopers arrived at the crash between Wallace Creek Lane and Riddle Road about 2 p.m. Bethea said.

The plane, owned by Travis Buchanan, left Merritt Island on the east coast of Florida at 11:03 a.m. on a flight to Sanford that was expected to take just under 2 1/2 hours, according to the FlightAware website. 

The plane was based at Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford, the airport said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.