Famed Hamptons Builder Dead After Plane Crash Off Long Island

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Famed "builder to the stars" Ben Krupinski was killed when his plane, carrying four, crashed off Amagansett in thunderstorms Saturday afternoon, sources said.

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman confirmed that Krupinski died in the tragic crash.

"I'm devastated," Schneiderman said. "This is a devastating loss for the East End." Schneiderman said he has been friends with the Krupinskis for more than 20 years. "I'm speechless," he said. "They were so incredibly generous."

The supervisor said he could not confirm if Krupinski's wife Bonnie had been killed in the crash, or who else was aboard the plane.

Krupinski was well-known for his beautiful work as a builder for high-profile celebrities, including Billy Joel and Jerry Della Femina.

And his legacy of philanthropy is deeply rooted on the East End: In May 2017, Ben and Bonnie Krupinski were honored as East Hampton Lions Club Citizens of the Year for their generosity to the East End community.

Two bodies were recovered after a small plane carrying four people crashed into the water off Amagansett Saturday afternoon, police said; the search is ongoing for the other two missing.

As word spread of Krupinski's death, friends were rocked by the news. "I am devastated," said longtime friend and former East Hampton Town board member Diana Weir. "They are an integral part of the East Hampton community — one of the most distinguished local families. I am crushed. They were very good to me and all local charities."

The Krupinskis, she said, are an "amazing family. Generous benefactors to so many local charities in their hometown. An East Hampton local successful family whose heart and soul cared about their hometown."

Remembering Krupinski, she said his death is "a tremendous loss for East Hampton. They never wanted credit or publicity for their amazing generosity. When a local prom lost their venue, Ben picked up the tab and made that prom happen. There are too many stories about things he did like that, without any press."

His wife Bonnie has spent a lifetime dedicated to giving back to her town with her "tremendous business acumen serving on various boards. I am heartbroken," Weir said.

Weir said the couple and she have remained friends since she served on the town board. "They're a wonderful family."

Social media was filled with heartbroken posts from friends Saturday night, with some say the loss was "gutting."

East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo said the two bodies were recovered from the water and brought to shore by East Hampton town lifeguard jet skis.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office is on the scene and the active rescue and recovery effort is continuing.

Coast Guard Cutter Bonito, homeported in Montauk, recovered the second person from the water near the crash site off the shore of Indian Wells Beach, the United States Coast Guard said.

Earlier Saturday afternoon East Hampton lifeguards located and recovered the first person from the aircraft, and assets on scene are searching for two more missing people, the USCG said.

“We are stricken by this loss,” said Capt. Kevin B. Reed, commander for Sector Long Island Sound. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the two recovered individuals.”

According to Lt. Alaina Fagan, public affairs officer for Coast Guard sector Long Island Sound, there were "four souls onboard" the Piper PA 31 Navajo aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration lost contact with the aircraft at 2:33 p.m. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received a call at approximately 2:50 p.m. reporting a small plane had crashed about a mile off of Indian Wells Beach. The USCG reported a debris field one mile off the beach in Amagansett, she said.

Sector Long Island Sound issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners, requesting vessels in the area to keep a sharp lookout for the crashed plane and for any survivors, the USCG said.

Coast Guard rescue crews are on scene conducting searches for survivors along with local agencies, fishing vessels, and shore units.

"A small aircraft crashed approximately two miles off the shore of Long Island near Indian Wells Beach, Amagansett, NY today at 3:20 p.m.," the FAA said in a statement.

Sarlo confirmed a small plane lost contact with East Hampton Airport about one mile south of the airport.

Private boats located a debris field off Indian Wells Beach, he said.

Family and friends were to respond to East Hampton airport, police said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

Assets involved in the search include Air National Guard MH-60 aircrew, Coast Guard Cutter Bonito, Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod, Coast Guard Station Montauk, Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, East Hampton Police, East Hampton lifeguards, Suffolk County Police and aviation and local commercial fishing vessels, the USCG said.

Residents in the area reported a deluge of rain that fell in the area around the time of the crash.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center at 203-468-4401 or on the radio at VHF-FM marine radio channel-16.

The cause of the crash, which comes just three days after a pilot was killed when a stunt plane crashed on Long Island, is under investigation.

Reporting by Lisa Finn.

All photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Patch will update this report.