Pilot, 69, Killed In Homemade Gyrocopter Crash

SUMMERFIELD TOWNSHIP (AP) — Authorities are investigating a homemade aircraft crash that killed the 69-year-old pilot in southeastern Michigan's Monroe County.

Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone says Kenneth West was operating a gyrocopter when it crashed in a farm field in Summerfield Township, about 40 miles southwest of Detroit.

A preliminary investigation shows West parked his vehicle Thursday afternoon at Lada Airport. The airport's owner called police and reported an overdue aircraft when he noticed the vehicle still parked there Friday morning.

Police searching the area in a helicopter spotted the crashed gyrocopter about 2 p.m. Friday a quarter-mile east of the airport. West was pronounced dead at the scene.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)