Minot pilot dead after crash in western North Dakota

MERCER COUNTY, N.D. (KVRR) — A Minot pilot is dead after crashing a plane in western North Dakota.

Authorities say the 67-year-old pilot took off in a 1960 Piper airplane from Mercer County Regional Airport around 1:45 Sunday afternoon.

A short time later, the plane was seen returning to the runway when it lost altitude and crashed into the ground.

The crash is under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol and the FAA.