One person was killed and another was left in critical condition after a small plane crashed on the highway in the northern suburbs of New York City Thursday night just moments after the pilot reported engine issues, officials said.

The single-engine TECNAM P2008 went down around 7 p.m. in the grassy median of Interstate-684 near Exit 2 in Harrison after the pilot reported engine trouble about two miles from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, according to New York State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Police said two people were in the plane and one of them died.

The second occupant is in serious condition, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed. 

Their identities have not yet been released.

The small aircraft was on its way to Westchester County Airport after taking off from Linden Airport in New Jersey around 6:09 p.m., according to flightradar24. The plane reached a peak altitude of 3,150 feet before plummeting near Exit 2, which is the exit for the New York airport. 

Hochul said the crash also caused an aviation gas spill, which the Department of Environmental Conservation is working rapidly to contain and clean up.

“My heart goes out to the loved ones of those onboard during this tragic incident, and I am praying for a safe recovery for the injured individual,” she said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, along with police, an FAA spokesperson said.

The highway was closed in both directions after the crash, causing major traffic delays.

Police are advising motorists to avoid the area.