Coroners on Saturday began the arduous task of identifying the badly burned corpses of 11 people killed when a twin-engine plane crashed and exploded near a coastal resort in northeastern Brazil.

The plane crashed Friday night just short of the Terravista Airport, the gateway for well-heeled guests arriving at the exclusive Terravista golf and condominium resort in the town of Trancoso, according to the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency. It said all 11 people on board were killed.

Medical examiner Antonio Carlos Batista Brito said eight "completely charred bodies" were being examined at the Porto Seguro coroner's office.

Company policy

The bodies of the other victims were expected to arrive later Saturday.

The plane was owned by Roger Ian Wright, a British-born Brazilian citizen and founding partner at Sao Paulo financial advisory firm Arsenal Investments, a secretary at the company said by phone. She declined to be identified, citing company policy.

She could not say whether Wright was on board at the time of the crash, but said the plane belonged to him personally, not Arsenal.

National Civil Aviation Agency spokeswoman Raquel Mortari declined to name the victims, saying only the owner of the plane has the authority to do so.

The King Air model plane left Sao Paulo at 6:31 p.m. and crashed at 9:13 p.m., said an air force spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with air force rules.

Balmy climate

Moments before hitting the ground, the pilot reported that "visual and landing conditions were normal," according to a statement issued by the airport.

The cause of the crash was not known.

The website of O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper said the aircraft was carrying eight passengers and three crew members.

Trancoso and its resorts are among Brazil's most famous because of the area's pristine beaches, year-round balmy climate and luxury accommodations. The destination is a getaway for rich Brazilians and foreigners.

The Terravista complex and its golf course lie next to a Club Med resort, and the airport boasts a 1,500-meter (4,921-foot) runway that is illuminated for night landings and takeoffs, according to Terravista's website.