A grandfather, his daughter, and his young grandson — all Ocean County residents — were killed Monday night when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Adirondack Regional Airport in upstate New York.

According to the New York State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. on July 13, when authorities were notified of a downed aircraft in the area of Hearf’s Way and State Route 186 in the town of Harrietstown.

A preliminary investigation determined that a 1976 Piper Aerostar departed Adirondack Regional Airport at approximately 10:36 p.m. Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was estimated to be about 100 feet above the ground, communication with the plane was lost.

A multi-agency search was immediately launched, and crews later located the aircraft, which had been destroyed by the impact and a post-crash fire.

Authorities identified the victims as pilot Gabriele P. Jasper, 70, of Toms River; his daughter, Gabriella M. Hillgrube, 33, of Forked River; and her son, Guiliana M. Hillgrube, 2. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

The New York State Police were assisted by the Saranac Lake Fire Department, the Saranac Lake Police Department, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration and the New York State Police.