MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- Two people died in a single-engine plane crash in Mayfield Village, the Cuyahoga County coroner's office said.

The crash occurred at about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday on SOM Center Road and Hickory Hill, in the parking lot of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cirrus SR-22 plane was en route to Buffalo, N.Y., after taking off from the Cuyahoga County Airport. It crashed just minutes after takeoff.

"I was sitting in my car right here and I saw the plane swoop over the top of the house and do a left turn nose dive into the woods," said witness Vince Busa.

The fire caused by the crash has since been put out. Crews were searching the surrounding wooded area Tuesday afternoon for other possible victims.

The coroner said the two victims were both adults. The victims have not been identified, but information points toward the pilot as being an attorney from the Buffalo-area.

Neighbors said they believe the pilot's last act was a selfless one, making sure he didn't hit any of the nearby homes.

"It's only 2,000 feet between the last house and the church and he landed it right between them," said witness Paul Woosley. "The plane was a mess. I mean, you couldn't tell it was a plane unless you knew it was a plane."

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation. It could take several months before they release information on what happened.