Two people are dead following a plane crash north of Duluth.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a two-seater 1946 Aeronca Champ went down this morning at around 8 o’clock in a wooded area about 50 kilometres from the Duluth airport.

Air Force rescue told County deputies that a registered aircraft beacon had been alarmed.

A spotter plane also observed possible wreckage on the ground.

Emergency crews responding arrived to find the pilot and a passenger, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the aircraft recently completed an annual inspection and is believed to have taken off from the airport.

The cause of the crash is unknown.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.