GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) _ Authorities say the pilot of a twin-engine plane is dead after crashing into a field this morning near the Great Bend Airport.

Barton County Sheriff Buck Causey says the flight was to have arrived at the airport at about nine a.m. but was late. He said the FAA is expected to arrive later today to begin its investigation.

The name of the pilot and the origin of the flight have not been released.