A small plane crashed Friday morning near the airport in Saint Mathieu de Beloeil.

Police say the plane caught fire when it smashed into the ground shortly before 10 a.m.

The pilot, who is believed to be the sole occupant of the plane, died on impact.

"We have investigators on the site with the identity service to try and found out what happened," said Yannick Parent, chief inspector, Richelieu-St. Laurent police.

The local fire department put out the flames but the body of the pilot remained in place.

Parent said police are talking to witnesses to confirm the plane crashed soon after taking off.

The Ministry of Transportation and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are sending investigators to examine the wreckage and determine what led to the deadly crash.