Pilot dies in small plane crash near Michigan airport

A small plane crash near Michigan's Oakland County International Airport left the pilot of the plane dead, officials said. The crash happened as the twin-engine Cessna 310 operated by Royal Air Freight approached the airport at about 7:48 p.m. Friday, the Detroit News reported. The plane was returning to the airport from Atlanta. The pilot's name has not been released, but he is believed to be from Michigan, the report said. "It's too early to speculate why the plane crashed. That will be determined by the National Transportation Safety Board," said J. David VanderVeen, director of central services for Oakland County. "We regret any time there is a loss of life and our condolences go out to the pilot's family." Royal Air, which is based at the airport in Michigan, has not commented on the incident. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.