A New Jersey man, his daughter and his 2-year-old granddaughter were killed Monday night when a small plane crashed shortly after takeoff near the Adirondack Regional Airport in Franklin County.
New York State Police confirmed the three deaths Tuesday. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Saranac Lake
Authorities were notified Monday night of a downed aircraft near Adirondack Regional Airport in Harrietstown, near Saranac Lake.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 1976 Piper Aerostar took off from the airport at 10:36 p.m. Shortly afterward, when the plane was estimated to be about 100 feet above the ground, communication with the aircraft stopped, State Police said.
Search crews from multiple agencies located the aircraft, which was destroyed by the impact and a post-crash fire, according to police.
Three family members killed in crash
Three people were aboard the plane: the pilot and two passengers, all from New Jersey, State Police said.
The pilot was identified as Gabriele P. Jasper, 70, of Toms River, New Jersey.
The passengers were identified as Jasper’s daughter, Gabriella M. Hillgrube, 33, and his granddaughter, Guiliana M. Hillgrube, 2, both of Forked River, New Jersey, Trooper Brandi Ashley said.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
FAA, NTSB investigating cause of crash
The FAA confirmed the three fatalities and said the aircraft crashed in a wooded area under “unknown circumstances.”
The National Transportation Safety Board responded to the scene and is leading the investigation into what caused the crash. No additional details were immediately released.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Man, daughter and granddaughter killed in NY plane crash
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
