PLAINVILLE, Conn. (AP) _ The state medical examiner has identified the man killed in the crash of a small airplane at the town-owned airport.

Authorities say 51-year-old James Seaver, who has addresses in Torrington and Winsted, was killed instantly Thursday aboard a Cessna 172.

The Hartford Courant reports  the aircraft was approaching Robertson Airport at about 7:15 p.m. when it crashed into a berm about 20 feet short of the runway. The plane burst into flames.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Bob Gretz says Seaver rented the four-seat, single-engine aircraft from Interstate Aviation at the airport.

The NTSB is reviewing the plane’s maintenance records, Seaver’s experience and weather conditions as part of their investigation. Gretz says Seaver had 1,000 hours of flight experience.

Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com

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