Four people have died following a plane crash northeast of Brisbane.

Police say the small aircraft crashed in waters off Redcliffe shortly after 9am on Sunday.

The plane came down near the coastal suburb of Scarborough not long after taking off from Redcliffe Aerodome.

Media reports suggest the plane may have flipped after engine trouble prompted the pilot to attempt to return to the landing strip.

“The plane is in a very, very difficult position in the wetland area and we have currently got police and divers travelling to that area,” Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll initially told reporters.

A multi-agency operation is underway with water police and divers along with the force’s forensic crash unit assisting other agencies including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Senior police along with ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell are expected to further address media shortly.

-AAP