One person was killed Tuesday after a single-engine plane towing a glider crashed shortly after takeoff from Saratoga County Airport, according to New York State Police.
Glider crash happened shortly after takeoff
State police said the crash occurred around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, when a Piper PA-25 towing a Schleicher ASW-27 sailplane, or glider, went down shortly after departing the airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the glider pitched upward and the plane “nosed over” before crashing and catching fire. Troopers said the glider detached from the aircraft before the crash and landed safely nearby. The glider pilot was not injured.
Pilot dies from injuries
James R. Stewart, 58, of Caroga Lake in Fulton County, was identified as the pilot of the single-engine plane, state police said. He was the only person aboard the aircraft.
Stewart was taken to Saratoga Hospital with severe burn injuries before being transferred to Albany Medical Center, where he later died Tuesday evening, troopers said.
Investigation underway
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board responded to the scene. The NTSB is leading the investigation into the fatal crash.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Pilot killed after plane towing glider crashes, catches fire in upstate NY
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
