Three people have died after a light plane crashed into the ocean near Goolwa South in South Australia on Friday.

Police responded to reports of the small plane crashing into the water at Long Bay about 4.20pm, with emergency services responding to the area immediately.

All three men on board were killed in the accident, including the 57-year-old pilot from Morphett Vale, an 18-year-old man from Freeling and a 19-year-old from Pasadena, police said on Satuday morning.

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The wreckage of the Cessna was brought onto shore near the Murray Mouth on Saturday, SA police senior constable Rebecca Stokes told ABC News Adelaide.

“Just tragic news for three families in South Australia today,” Stokes said.

Separately, a second small plane crashed in Normanton, near the Gulf of Carpentaria, in Queensland on Friday. Emergency services were called to the area about 800m west of Normanton airport about 8pm. Police were unsure about the injuries of those onboard as the crash site has been difficult to access.

“At this time, emergency services have had difficulty accessing the crash site and injuries of those onboard are unknown,” Queensland police said.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating both crashes.

The agency said the fatal plane crash in Goolwa South involved a single-engine Cessna aircraft. Safety investigators were due on the scene on Saturday to examine the wreckage, interview witnesses and collect video footage or recorded flight tracking data. Officials have urged anyone with video of the aircraft in-flight, or of the incident, to contact them as soon as possible.

A video published by Seven News Adelaide appears to show the plane spinning out of control before nose-diving into the ocean.

“Police wish to thank other emergency services, including CFS, SES, Sea Rescue and commercial operators for their efforts and assistance in the search and retrieval operations,” SA police said. A report will be prepared for the coroner after the fatalities.

The ATSB was also aware of the Normanton crash and was gathering more information.

Goolwa South is about 70km south of Adelaide. Normanton is a small outback town in north-western Queensland with a population of about 1,400 people.