A pilot has died after a small plane went down in Colonie.

The plane crashed around 8:15 Monday morning near Maxwell and Albany Shaker roads, just after taking off from Albany Airport.

It was a twin-engine Piper PA-31 Navajo plane.

Billowing smoke could be seen from nearby neighborhoods and even the Northway, as commuters headed to work.

Sadly, a 31-year-old female pilot from Canada died, police said. She was the only person on board.

The Canadian consulate has been notified, according to Colonie Police. They were trying to get in touch with her family.

The female pilot landed in Albany Sunday afternoon from Fayetteville, North Carolina. She fueled up Monday morning.

The airport remains open and operational, according to Albany airport spokesman Steve Smith, with no delays or cancellations from this.

Travelers may still want to check their flight plan in case anything has changed.

Two people from the Federal Aviation Administration were on scene. The National Transportation Safety Board was also flying into Albany from Washington, D.C. to investigate.

Colonie Police are somewhat in a holding pattern because they just have to block the road and keep traffic flowing until NTSB arrives and says it’s OK to move the debris on Maxwell Road.

NewsChannel 13 continues to follow this story. We will bring you updates on WNYT.com as we get them and our later newscasts.