REDMOND, Ore. -- An 87-year-old Redmond pilot was killed Friday morning when his 50-year-old single-engine plane crashed shortly after taking off from Roberts Field, as he apparently tried to return to the runway, authorities said.

After family members were notified, the victim was identified Friday afternoon as Sheldon Arnett, a long-time resident of the area.

Around 7 a.m., the single-engine, four-seat 1960 Piper "Comanche" PA-24-250 took off on Runway 10, airport Manager Carrie Novick said.

Witnesses told investigators that despite Arnett's experience as a pilot, something went horribly wrong.

"The airplane pitched up and rolled over," said Joshua Cawthra, an aviation incident investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, who traveled from the Seattle regional office to oversee the investigation.

"He (the witness) described it as performing a half 'barrel roll,' and the airplane subsequently descended into the terrain," Cawthra added.

Investigators say the aircraft traveled roughly 200 feet, violently crashing and breaking into pieces, taking Arnett's life.

Now, the NTSB is trying to figure out why.

"We're trying to find anything here, to hopefully prevent another accident," the investigator said. "It's through tragedy we do learn, and ultimately make aviation safer."

While it's too early to know exactly what caused the crash, the NTSB investigator said Arnett was a commercially rated pilot, meaning he has enough experience to be hired to fly.

And while the plane's age might raise eyebrows among those not familiar with rigorously maintained aircraft, Cawthra said it's a popular model/

"I've seen quite a few flying," he said. "The exact number, I don't know how many are still out there. But I do know it's a pretty common airplane."

Novick said the crash occurred at the east end of the airport, and did not affect commercial flight operations. She said she believes this was the first aircraft fatality at Roberts Field since the 1970s.

Arnett and his grandson received their bachelor's degrees together in 2003 - Arnett at the age of 80 - at Seattle Pacific University. He donned cap and gown 52 years after stopping his education, just five credits shy of a diploma, to go to work in his father's Ford dealership. You can read more of the SPU story here.

FAA records indicate the plane's airworthiness certificate was terminated after its sale to a firm listed as Eastern Oregon Aviation LLC, but FAA Public Affairs Officer Mike Fergus said that can mean the new owner had not applied for registration yet, much like when a car is sold. Planes regularly undergo required maintenance, even engine overhauls, after a specified period or hours of flight, depending on the model.