Local News
David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell Killed After Small Plane Crashes Near Ithaca
ENFIELD, N.Y. — Two people were killed Sunday after a small aircraft crashed near North Applegate Road in Enfield, west of Ithaca, according to Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne.
The aircraft, identified as a 1977 Lake LA-4-200, had two people aboard when it went down. Sheriff Osborne initially reported that David Kornreich, 52, the owner of the plane, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second occupant, Andrew R. Harrell, 31, was transported to Cayuga Medical Center in critical condition.
Later Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed that Harrell had also died from his injuries, bringing the death toll from the aircraft crash to two.
According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, the plane was cleared for takeoff from Ithaca Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m. The aircraft’s last contact with the airport control tower was reported at approximately 12:02 p.m.
A witness called 911 around 12:35 p.m. to report that the aircraft had gone down. The witness reportedly indicated that the plane appeared to be experiencing a mechanical problem before the crash. Investigators have not determined whether a mechanical failure caused the aircraft to go down.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash site shortly afterward. The Ithaca Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department were among the agencies sent to the area at approximately 12:47 p.m.
According to local emergency-response information, Guthrie Air was also dispatched, while the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Company established a landing zone at a nearby school to support the emergency response.
First responders located the aircraft and its occupants at the crash site. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while Harrell was initially transported to Cayuga Medical Center with critical injuries. He later succumbed to those injuries.
Multiple agencies assisted with the response, including the New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Enfield Fire & Rescue, Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca Fire Department, Ithaca Airport Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Sheriff Osborne said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s final flight and crash.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the suspected mechanical issue or the exact sequence of events before the plane went down.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release additional information as investigators examine the aircraft, review flight data and determine what caused the fatal crash.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Van’s RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airport’s fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emge’s contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.