PHOENIX (AP) — A small plane with six people aboard, including three children, crashed in flames in mile-high mountains on Phoenix’s eastern outskirts, leaving one child confirmed dead and no signs of any survivors, authorities said.

Preliminary reports indicate the two-engine aircraft flew from Safford to Mesa’s Falcon Field to pick up three children for the Thanksgiving holiday and was headed back to Safford in southeastern Arizona, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said.

The aircraft slammed into an area of rugged peaks and outcroppings in the Superstition Mountains, 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix, at about 6:30 p.m. MST. authorities said.

Callers reported hearing an explosion near a peak known as the Flat Iron, close to Lost Dutchman State Park, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Angelique Graham said.

Witnesses reported a fireball and an explosion.

“I looked up and saw this fireball and it rose up,” Dave Dibble told KPHO-TV . “All of a sudden, boom.”

Sheriff’s spokesman Elias Johnson said the body of one child was recovered late Wednesday night from the crash scene, but additional details weren’t released.

No names were immediately released. The children reportedly were between the ages of five and nine. A pilot, a mechanic and another adult were also on board, Babeu said.