The pilot requested a refueling stop in Skopje, but reported no emergency ahead of Tuesday's crash, authorities reported.

The plane disappeared from the radar only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the airport. It fell near the village of Kojle outside the Macedonian capital.

All six people on board the Piper Seneca were killed. The casualties included four Italians and two Kosovars. The private twin-engine plane was registered in Germany.

"They departed from the airport Treviso in Italy with the destination of Pristina," the head of the national public security bureau, Mitko Chavkov, told reporters.

Macedonia has launched an investigation into the incident.

dj/jm (AFP, AP, dpa, Makfaks)