Plane involved in crash that killed 29-year-old ‘taken without consent’: Manitoba RCMP

The plane involved in the fatal crash Thursday morning was taken from its owner “without consent” according to RCMP.

The pilot, a 29-year-old from Thunderbay, Ont., died instantly in the crash near St. Andrews airport early Thursday morning.

Manitoba RCMP were called to the scene of the crash near Highway 8 between Parkdale Road and McPhillips Road just after 4:30 a.m.

Cpl. Agathe Bilodeau said the plane was “taken without consent” by the pilot who was known to the owner. The owner reported it stolen that morning.

“We do know he was an experienced pilot and he did have a license and that he has flown this aircraft before, he’s known to the owner,” Bilodeau said. “It just appears that he took the airplane by himself this morning without consent.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We do know he was an experienced pilot and he did have a license and that he has flown this aircraft before, he's known to the owner," Bilodeau said. "It just appears that he took the airplane by himself this morning without consent."

WATCH: RCMP, TSB provide updates on fatal plane crash Thursday morning

1:54 Manitoba RCMP provide update after fatal morning plane crash

• Manitoba RCMP provide update after fatal morning plane crash
• TSB provides update on fatal crash near St. Andrews airport

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Eric Vermette, Regional Manger for Transportation Safety Board (TSB), said the plane took off at 4:10 a.m. and crashed “shortly after takeoff.”

The Beech Musketeer plane was completely destroyed in the crash.

RELATED: 6 killed after small plane heading to Winnipeg falls apart mid-air

Manitoba RCMP were called to the scene of the crash near Highway 8 between Parkdale Road and McPhillips Road just after 4:30 a.m. Cpl. Agathe Bilodeau said the plane was “taken without consent” by the pilot who was known to the owner. The owner reported it stolen that morning.

“We do know he was an experienced pilot and he did have a license and that he has flown this aircraft before, he’s known to the owner,” Bilodeau said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We do know he was an experienced pilot and he did have a license and that he has flown this aircraft before, he's known to the owner," Bilodeau said.

Debris from the plane could be seen scattered near the highway and the ditch. Highway 8 was closed for most of the day but reopened just after 2 p.m.

“I was sleeping, I heard an engine roar up, real loud and then all of a sudden down. It went dead,” Al Porcher told Global News.

“And then a big bang after seconds.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "And then a big bang after seconds."

WATCH: Al Porcher describes being woken up by plane crash near St. Andrews

0:52 Resident describes being woken up by plane crash near St. Andrews

“When I got up around 6:30 a.m. the roads were all blocked off and the police were there and fire trucks and then the whole shebang,” Porcher said.

Emile Courcelles was driving along Highway 8 about an hour after the crash.

“I seen all this commotion. It was not a pretty sight,” Courcelles said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I seen all this commotion. It was not a pretty sight," Courcelles said.

Highway 8 was closed in both directions from Parkdale Road to McPhillips Road. It was reopened just after 2 p.m.

STARS Air Ambulance confirmed it was dispatched to the scene just before 5 a.m.

Airlines that use the St. Andrews Airport said flights are continuing on schedule as the crash was not on the runway.