SALINA, Kan. (AP) Authorities say a man has died after the small aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff in north-central Kansas.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened Sunday evening north of the Saline-Ottawa county line.
Authorities say the homemade experimental plane had only traveled about 100 to 200 yards before the pilot tried to make a turn to return home and the aircraft lost power. Officials say the pilot, who was the only person on the aircraft, could not make an emergency landing.
The patrol on Monday said the pilot, 62-year-old Delwyn Schmidt of Bennington, has died at an area hospital where he was taken after the crash.
