The victim was identified Dr. Frank Smith, a general surgeon at Kittitas Valley Healthcare since 2010.

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ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — Officials say a 75-year-old man died in a twin-engine plane crash just outside Ellensburg.

The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office says the crash was reported just before 5 p.m. Thursday by a farm owner who said a small plane had crashed into a field.

The Daily Record reports that Kittitas Valley Healthcare identified the man as Dr. Frank Smith, a general surgeon at KVH since 2010.

Authorities say he was the only one in the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say he was communicating takeoff and direction a few minutes before the crash and that he was bound for Yakima.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

KVH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Martin says Smith was a gifted surgeon and a gracious and gentle man.

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Information from: Daily Record, http://www.kvnews.com