MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Police have identified the pilot who died in the crash of a small, home-built aircraft at Mandan Municipal Airport last weekend. The victim was 57-year-old Stanton area farmer and former gas plant worker Joel Pfliger. Pfliger died Saturday afternoon when his single-engine plane crashed and burned shortly after takeoff. He was the only one on board. According to an obituary published by his family, Pfliger was a full-time farmer and a mechanical engineer who worked at Dakota Gasification Co. north of Beulah for 24 years until retiring in 2012. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash. The Bismarck Tribune reports the agency has not yet issued a preliminary report.

Previously

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine why a small plane crashed at Mandan Municipal Airport. The Bismarck Tribune reports the plane crashed off the runway Saturday afternoon.

Mandan Police Lt. Pete Czapiewski described the plane as a “small personal aircraft.” The pilot was the only person aboard and was killed. Police said they are working notify the pilot’s family before releasing his name.