A small plane crashed into a hillside in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Sunday, killing three people on board and critically injuring another, officials said.

The plane crashed about 75 km from the Linkes Bairin Banner government in Chifeng City at about 4:10 PM, according to Lin Yuhua, head of the local public security bureau.

Lin said that the injured person, still conscious despite head and chest injuries, was pulled from the plane at 6:40 p.m. and rushed to a hospital.

Rescuers said the eight-seat plane was on a mine exploring mission.

Kang Yongfei, a local fire brigade officer, said 12 fire fighters and two fire engines were dispatched 30 minutes after the crash.

The plane's engine was functional, although the control system failed. Technicians from the company that owns the plane, based in Chifeng, were on the way to the site.