The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is dispatching a team of investigators to Mexico to assist that country’s government in investigating the Dec. 9^th crash of a Learjet LJ25 that killed seven people.

The plane went down about 70 miles south of Monterrey, Mexico while en route to Mexico City. The plane vanished from radar after taking off at 3:15 local time. The cause of the accident is unknown.

Those killed in the crash included singer Jenni Rivera, a Grammy-nominated Latin singer who sold 15 million records during her career. Four other passengers and two pilots were among the dead.

NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman has designated David Helson as the traveling U.S. Accredited Representative. Mr. Helson will be assisted from NTSB headquarters by investigative staff specializing in airplane airworthiness and flight crew operations as well as advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Learjet.

The investigation is being conducted by the Mexican Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC).