text: Two dead after executive jet crashes in Newfoundland . STEPHENVILLE , Newfoundland 1996-12-06 Two people were killed when an executive jet en route to Ireland from Michigan crashed on approach to an airport in Stephenville , Newfoundland , on Friday , authorities said . The pilot and co-pilot , the only two aboard , were killed in the crash of the Learjet 36 , airport manager David Snow said in a telephone interview . Snow said the plane last reported to air traffic control at about 3 A.M. local time / 1:30 A.M. EST ( 0630 GMT ) when it began its final approach about 10 miles ( 16 km ) from the airport in this east coast Canadian province . That was the last communication the aircraft made with the airport , he added . " We considered it as being missing until about 0600 ( 4:30 A.M. EST ) ( 0930 GMT ) . That 's when the wreckage was discovered , " Snow said . He said the cargo flight originated in Grand Rapids , Michigan , and was due to stop at Stephenville for refueling before going to Shannon , Ireland . The cause of the crash was not yet known . Investigators were due to fly to Stephenville later on Friday .