SAN DIEGO– Authorities say three people are dead following the midair collision and crash of two small planes near an airport in southern San Diego County.Β
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Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the collision occurred around 11 a.m. Sunday about 2 miles northeast of Brown Field Municipal Airport.Β
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Sheriff’s Lt. Jim Bolwerk says three fatalities have been reported. He did not have details on the victims but said they were apparently on the planes.Β
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Gregor says both planes _ a twin-engine Sabreliner and a single-engine Cessna 172 _ were inbound to Brown Field at the time of the crash.Β
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Bolwerk says crews extinguished small fires sparked in dry brush at the crash site.Β
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Brown Field is about 15 miles southeast of downtown San Diego, near the border with Mexico.Β
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