RENO, Nev. -- Investigators are trying to determine what caused a plane carrying firefighters to crash and burn in Reno Monday.

The plane took off from the Reno airport to help battle the wildfires in Hope Valley, Calif.

It reportedly caught on fire and slammed into the ground on takeoff.

All three people onboard were killed.

Witnesses said the plane lost a piece of the engine or wing just before the crash.