BERLIN (AFP) - Police said four people were thought to have died on Sunday after a small plane on its way from England crashed in western Germany.

The twin-engine business aircraft came down at the site of a rubbish tip close to Sehlem in Rhineland-Palatinate state, a local police statement said.

It was in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene, authorities added.

Initial investigations indicated it was headed for Foehren airport near the city of Trier and had departed from England, it said.

Four people - two pilots and two passengers - were believed on board the Cessna Citation plane, which damaged an electricity pylon in the crash.

Media reports said it was foggy at around midday in the area when, police said, a witness had raised the alarm.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the possible cause of the crash.