Fire crews were initially dispatched to what was described as a brushfire, Tam said, but then authorities learned about a possible plane crash. The department's Air One rescue helicopter was then sent to the area, and the crew spotted the burning wreckage at 10:06 p.m., he said.

The body of the pilot was thrown clear of the plane, Tam said.

Authorities secured the scene at the 3,700-foot level above Keokea last night, and Air One returned at first light this morning to look for other bodies, but none were found, Tam said.

The plane, a Cessna 310 registered to WardAir Aviation Inc. of Kailua, O'ahu, took off from Kahului Airport at 9:18 p.m. and was headed to Kona, said Donn Walker, Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson.

Walker said the plane lost radar and radio contact with the Kahului tower at 9:24 p.m.

This morning, Maui Police Department investigators were on the scene above the Silvercloud Ranch and Kula Hospital. It was unclear whether the National Transportation Safety Board would be sending an investigator as well.