A pilot of a small experimental aircraft was killed Sunday evening when he crashed in a field north of Salina.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 62-year-old Delwyn Schmidt took off from his small private grass runway at his house in rural Ottawa County. As he was on his ascent he tried to make a turn to return home, and lost power. He failed to make an emergency landing.

The plane, a small single-seat experimental aircraft, came to rest on its top, about thirty yards from a home.

Neighbors told KSAL News at the scene that it is not uncommon to see Schmidt flying small aircraft that he has built himself. They say that he owns several small aircraft, and at least one helicopter.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is coordinating an investigation into the crash with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The crash happened at 5:43 Sunday evening, near 93 Autumn Lane in rural Ottawa County near the Saline County line, about 10 miles north of I70/I135 junction.

ORIGINAL: A pilot of a small experimental aircraft was critically injured Sunday evening when he crashed in a field north of Salina.

The plane crashed near a small private runway just off 93 Autumn Leaf Lane in rural Ottawa County, near the Saline County line. It came to rest on its top, about thirty yards from a home.

The pilot’s name was not immediately released at the scene. He was transported by EMS to the hospital in Salina.

Neighbors told KSAL News at the scene that it is not uncommon to see the pilot flying in small aircraft that he has built himself. They say that he owns several small aircraft, and at least one helicopter.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is coordinating an investigation into the crash with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The crash happened at 5:403Sunday evening.