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Small Plane Crashes In Concord Just After Takeoff

CONCORD (CBS SF / AP) -- A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Concord Tuesday. There were two men on board.

The pilot declared an emergency immediately after takeoff and tried to make it back to the airport.

The Contra Costa Fire Protection District says the single-engine plane missed the runway and ended up in a grassy area at Buchanan Field at 3:21 p.m. Tuesday.

An FAA spokesperson confirmed the plane was badly damaged.

Both passengers were transported to John Muir Medical Center in Concord.

Captain Kent Kirby says one of the men aboard suffered major injuries and the other suffered moderate injuries.

Chris Perez, a nursing supervisor at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, says both men are in good condition and are expected to go home later Tuesday. No further details on their identities were immediately released.

Kirby says the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the scene.

The north runway remains closed while authorities investigate the crash site.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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