Long Island plane crash leaves 2 dead after pilot attempted to return to runway
Two people were reportedly killed in a small plane crash on Monday at New York’s Long Island MacArthur Airport during the pilot’s attempt to return to the runway shortly after takeoff.
The pilot, Christopher Kucera, 46, of Fredericksburg, Va., and passenger Zachary Hatcher, 43, of King George, Va., were pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
Their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 took off from MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma around 6:15 p.m on Monday, and quickly came back down for a landing for an “unknown reason,” said Suffolk County police.
Kucera and Hatcher were the only two people onboard at the time of the incident. The reason for their flight and their intended destination have not yet been revealed.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. Suffolk County police also have a crime scene investigation team processing the crash site.
FAA guidance indicates that performing a 180-degree turn shortly after takeoff is extremely risky for single-engine planes.
In cases of engine failure, pilots are generally advised to land straight ahead without turning. It is not yet known if mechanical issues were communicated or discovered before the crash.
The runway at MacArthur Airport was temporarily closed for the investigation, and Islip officials have advised passengers to check with their airlines for any potential delays or cancellations.
With News Wire Services
