UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) - A small plane that crashed killing both people on board was operated by an air ambulance company and trying to land at an airport operated by Penn State University.

University spokeswoman Heather Robbins says smoke was coming from the aircraft as it approached about 8:20 a.m. Thursday, but tower crews got no response while warning the pilot.The Federal Aviation Administration says the Piper PA31 crashed a mile east of the airport after taking off from Washington County Airport in Washington, Pennsylvania. Washington airport officials say the plane belonged to Aero National Inc.Aero National didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. It was not immediately clear whether the plane was being used as an ambulance when it crashed.The Centre County coroner didn't immediately release the victims' names.