The single-engine propeller plane crashed at about 4:15 p.m. Sunday off runway six at the New Garden Airport, about 20 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said.
``The aircraft was doing touch-and-go landings at the airport,'' Peters said, describing a maneuver in which a plane touches down on the runway and immediately takes off again. ``When he was departing, he struck the left side of the hangar on the last touch-and-go he attempted.''
New Garden Township police Lt. Kevin McCarthy said the men were 38 and 45 years old, and each was related to one of the children, who were aged 12 and eight. Their names were not being released pending notification of their families.
The fire destroyed the plane and several parked cars and charred the side of the hangar before the flames were extinguished by the volunteer fire department. The smoldering scene drew residents anxious to reassure themselves that their friends and family were not among the victims.
The plane, a Piper Arrow PA28 registered to New Garden Aviation, was flying under visual flight rules, Peters said. The National Transportation Safety Board had been called to the scene to investigate.
``Since it is a non-towered airport, we have no air traffic control tapes,'' he said.
The pilot and three passengers were believed to be related, but their names were not being released, Peters said.
New Garden Aviation did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
