NTSB issues preliminary report on deadly Aberdeen area plane crash

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) – A plane crash near Aberdeen that killed the pilot was caused when the plane hit a tree in wind and fog at night.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report Tuesday said the pilot, 70-year-old Gerald Seliski of Hecla, crashed about 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 soon after takeoff from Aberdeen Regional Airport.

The NTSB said Seliski did not have a pilot’s certificate.

A hunter found the wreckage of the single-engine Cessna about 3 miles from the airport.

The plane was scheduled to land in Oakes, North Dakota.