( CNN ) -- A tanker plane crashed during takeoff at Point Mugu naval air base in Southern California Wednesday evening , but the three people aboard escaped with minor injuries , a U.S. Navy spokesman said . The plane crashed at 5:25 p.m. PT , base spokesman Vance Vasques said in a statement . The resulting fire was extinguished about three and a half hours later . The Boeing 707 , operated by Omega Air Refueling , went down near the beach , spewing large plumes of black smoke , CNN affiliate KABC reported . The Ventura County Fire Department sent a full response team , including a helicopter and three fire engines , spokesman Ron Oatman said . The National Air Transportation Board is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash . Omega Air Refueling is contracted by the Navy to provide fleet operations support at Point Mugu . CNN 's Irving Last contributed to this report .
NEW : Fire is put out more than three hours after the crash . The three people aboard escaped with minor injuries , KABC reports . The Boeing 707 went down near the beach , spewing large plumes of black smoke . The plane is operated by Omega Air Refueling .