Colorado Springs man killed in plane crash on DOC property

CANON CITY, Colo. - Authorities say one person died in the crash of a small plane on an instructional flight in southern Colorado.

An NTSB spokesman says the Piper PA-28 with three people on board crashed during take off from the Fremont County airport Sunday, landing on nearby land owned by the Colorado Department of Corrections.

The Fremont County coroner has identified the person killed as 39-year-old David Merritt of Colorado Springs. A flight instructor, a student pilot and a passenger were on board but it's unclear which role Merritt held.

An NTSB investigator arrived at the crash site on Monday morning. A preliminary report on the investigation's findings is expected within two weeks.

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