ST. ANDREW'S, Man. -- RCMP have identified a 29-year-old Thunder Bay man as the pilot of a plane that crashed early Thursday north of Winnipeg near the St. Andrew's, Man. airport.
The victim's name was not immediately available.
Global News quoted RCMP Cpl. Agathe Bilodeau as saying the Beech Musketeer plane was "taken without consent" by the pilot who was known to the owner.
"We do know he was an experienced pilot and he did have a license and that he has flown this aircraft before," Bilodeau said.
The owner had reported the aircraft stolen earlier Thursday morning.
The plane was completely destroyed in the crash which the Transportation Safety Board said occurred shortly after takeoff, just after 4:30 a.m.
Debris was left scattered near Highway 8, which was closed until just after 2 p.m..
