An Air Force statement says the single-engine Cessna Grand Caravan C-98A crashed Tuesday afternoon near the city of Bom Jardim da Serra in the state of Santa Catarina.

The statement says the Air Force is investigating the cause of the crash.

Lt. Col. Altair Rodrigues, a spokesman for the Santa Catarina fire department, says the plane burst into flames after crashing in a deserted rural area.

AP