Brazilian authorities say a small plane has crashed in northeastern Brazil, killing all 16 people on board.

The regional Noar airlines plane went down early Wednesday, shortly after takeoff from the city of Recife. It was heading to the city of Natal.

Brazil's Air Force says the pilot reported problems almost immediately and tried to make an emergency landing on a beach. The plane crashed and burst into flames.

A fire official is quoted in local media as saying the pilot averted an even bigger disaster, narrowly avoiding a densely populated area.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear.