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Authorities identify Utah man killed in California plane crash

Posted at 7:03 AM, Apr 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-19 17:51:04-04

FULLERTON, Calif. – A pilot bound for Utah has died after his plane crashed in California.

On Friday, authorities identified him as 48-year-old Robert Ellis, a Utah dentist who practiced in Tustin, Calif. and flew between Orange County, Calif. and Utah “almost daily,” according to KTLA-TV.

Robert Kenner Ellis, 48, appears in an undated photo posted to his dentistry practice Luminous Family Dental’s website.

Authorities said the accident happened just after take-off at Fullerton Municipal Airport Thursday evening.

Ellis is believed to have been the only one on board.

No word on the cause of the crash, but officers said the twin-engine craft burst into flames after impact.

According to the FAA, the plane had a valid flight status and was registered to a Montana company.

The flight was headed to an airport in Heber, Utah.