NATIONAL BRIEFING / NEVADA

A small plane has crashed on approach to an airport in the town of Fallon, killing a naval air station officer and his three daughters, authorities said.

Cmdr. Luther H. Hook III, 44, died when his twin- engine Cessna 320 crashed and burst into flames Friday night about a mile from the runway after a flight from Fresno, base spokesman Zip Upham said.

Also killed were Kaitlyn Hook, 15, Rachel Hook, 12, and Mackenzie Hook, 9.

Witnesses told authorities that the plane appeared to be in distress and was maneuvering erratically shortly before the crash. The National Weather Service said wind was gusting up to 40 mph at the time in the town about 60 miles east of Reno.