BLAIR, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say an Iowa pilot has died after his aircraft crashed near Blair Airport in eastern Nebraska. The crash occurred around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Blair police say the aircraft went down as it was taking off.

Authorities say the 59-year-old pilot lived in Glenwood, Iowa. His name hasn’t been released. He was alone on the aircraft. Federal investigators have been called in.