One Pilot Dies in New York Glider Collision
One Pilot Dies in New York Glider Collision
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Key Points
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The FAA identified the aircraft as a Schempp-Hirth Ventus, which crashed, and a Schleicher AS24, which landed safely.
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The crashed glider’s debris was located at about 4:54 p.m. in a remote area off Sand Lake Road, with State Police Aviation assisting the search.
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The downed aircraft had only one person aboard, according to State Police.
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Elayne Wade, owner of Plateau Sky Ranch Airport, said the surviving glider sustained front-end damage and that its pilot was “shaken but OK.” The pilot later joined Wade’s husband in the air to help search for the missing glider.
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Authorities asked witnesses to contact New York State Police at 518-457-6811 with information about the collision.
A glider pilot died Friday after two planes collided in midair near Edinburg, New York. NY State Police said the crash happened around 2:26 p.m. in Saratoga County. One pilot landed safely at a nearby airport with injuries. The other plane's wreckage was found hours later in a remote area.
The FAA identified the crashed aircraft as a Schempp-Hirth Ventus. The second glider, a Schleicher AS24, landed safely at Plateau Sky Ranch Airport. The pilot aboard the damaged plane was shaken but not hurt, according to airport owner Elayne Wade. The NTSB was notified and is investigating the collision.
Search Team Finds Wreckage in Remote Area
Multiple agencies launched a search after the midair collision. NY State Police Aviation and other rescue teams worked to locate the missing aircraft. They found wreckage at about 4:54 p.m. on Sand Lake Road, far from the crash site near Wheeler Road. The downed glider had one person aboard.
The surviving glider's pilot later joined Elayne Wade's husband in the air to help search from above. Wade said her husband and the other pilot used the skies to scan the area while ground teams pushed through the remote terrain below.
Second Glider Lands Safely With Damage
The Schleicher AS24 that survived the collision made it to Plateau Sky Ranch Airport without further incident. The aircraft's front end was damaged in the crash. The pilot aboard walked away shaken but physically unharmed, according to airport owner Wade.
Cause Remains Unknown as Investigation Begins
The NTSB and FAA will lead the investigation into why the two gliders collided. Authorities have not released details about what caused the planes to occupy the same airspace. The deceased pilot's name has not been released pending family notification.
NY State Police asked anyone with information to call 518-457-6811. Authorities urged the public to avoid the crash area in the remote section of Saratoga County while recovery and investigation work continues.
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