Topeka — The Kansas Highway Patrol says two people were killed when the plane they were in crashed near an airport in Topeka.

The patrol says the victims of the crash shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday were 61-year-old pilot William Leeds of Topeka and his 55-year-old co-pilot, James Bergman of Leawood. Both men died at the scene.

The 1965 Piper PA-30 fixed wing multi-engine airplane went down near Philip Billard Municipal Airport.

The patrol says the aircraft appeared to miss the runway and hit the ground at a high rate of speed. After impact, the aircraft turned about 180 degrees and came to rest in a grass field.

Federal investigators were expected to help determine what caused the crash.