by Mindy Aguon

Guam - A Star Marianas seven-seater commuter plane crashed after takeoff from the Saipan airport this morning, resulting in one fatality. KSPN 2 news in Saipan reports that there were seven people on board the Piper Cherokee aircraft that was headed to Tinian.

The crash occurred around 6:20 this morning. A female tourist died while four Chinese nationals and a Filipino national and the pilot survived. The pilot is listed in critical but stable condition. The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and Star Marianas are working on arranging his medical evacuation.

The airline does more than 100 flights between Saipan and Tinian daily and has been operating in the CNMI for the last five years. Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are expected to arrive in Saipan on Tuesday to begin the federal investigation.

We're told the debris remains on part of a runway and the scene will be preserved until federal inspectors arrive.

Star Marianas has not suspended any flights as a result of today's crash.