HILLSBORO (AP) — A former six-term Kansas House member who was appointed in December to the state’s Supreme Court Nominating Commission has died in an ultralight plane crash near his hometown.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 69-year-old Donald Dahl was flying at low altitude at 1:45 p.m. Friday when he ran into a tree branch 2 miles south of Hillsboro. The plane fell to the ground near a pond and flipped upside down into the water.

The retired U.S. Navy officer served in the House as a Republican from 1997 through 2008, including the last two years as speaker pro tem. He also was chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee for four years.

Gov. Sam Brownback issued a statement Friday expressing sympathy to Dahl’s family and friends.

“I am greatly saddened to hear of Donald Dahl’s passing today. He had a proud legacy of public service,” Brownback said. “A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served the people of Kansas as a representative for six terms and was a member of the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission. The Lt. Governor and I extend our personal sympathy to his family and friends.”