Small plane crashes in Costa Rican capital, no deaths

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – A small plane has crashed in a residential area of Costa Rica’s capital without causing deaths or serious injuries.

The accident occurred Friday morning shortly after takeoff from an airport west of San Jose. The pilot managed to touch down in an empty lot, but the plane was destroyed by the impact.

Government photos showed the crumpled Cessna lying in a street near some apartment buildings.

The Ministry of Public Safety identified the occupants as two 23-year-olds of Argentine nationality. Firefighters said they were in stable condition and were taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The plane was bound for the city of David, Panama, as part of a trip the two were making from the United States to Argentina.

Aviation officials were investigating the cause of the accident.