Two people was injured early Saturday evening when an experimental aircraft crashed while taking off from the Crystal Airport, authorities said.

Patrick Hogan, spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, said the plane crashed on airport property after it failed to gain altitude while taking off from runway 32R, in the airport's northwestern corner. The crash happened around 6 p.m.

The plane lost power as it was taking off and crashed at the end of the runway, said Lynn Lunsford, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. He said both people on board were injured, possibly suffering broken bones, and taken to the hospital.

FAA records say the single engine, fixed-wing plane was built by its registered owner, an area man.

PAMELA MILLER and JIM ADAMS