LIVINGSTON, La. — Authorities say at least three people are dead after a small plane crashed in a wooded area in eastern Louisiana.

Perry Rushing, chief of operations for the Livingston Parish Sheriff's pffice, says the Cessna 182 went down just before midnight Friday night in a wooded area west of Independence.

The cause of the crash was unknown. Rushing says weather did not appear to be a factor.

Citing preliminary reports, Rushing said the plane was flying from Slidell, La., but said authorities weren't yet sure where it was headed.

Rushing says authorities will search the area but there was no indication of any survivors.