BERLIN: Authorities say a small plane crashed in western Germany, killing four adults and one child and injuring three other children.

The dpa news agency reported Wednesday that the single-engine Piper crashed Tuesday evening in a field in the Dortmund area.

Authorities say it was on a return trip from Germany's north coast and was only about 30 kilometers from its destination of Arnsberg when it crashed.

Two women, two men and four children were aboard but no other details were immediately available.

Two of the children injured were found outside the plane, and one had to be freed from the wreckage.