New Details Released In Fiery L.I. Plane Crash That Killed Pilot

UPDATED at 10:15 p.m.: Officials are investigating the details surrounding an aerobatics plane that crashed in Melville, killing the pilot on Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities say Ken Johansen, 52, of Doylestown, PA, was flying a Skytyper aircraft that departed from Republic Airport in East Farmingdale when the plane crashed into a wooded area on Northcote Drive at 1:52 p.m.

The plane, a North American T-6 Texan, burst into flames upon impact. Johansen was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. He was the only person on the plane during the crash.

Johansen, along with five other planes that form a part of the Geico Skytypers Air Show Team, were traveling from Republic Airport to Maryland.

Patch reader Nicole Camille saw the plane go down. She said she and her daughter were watching a group of planes that looked like they were practicing for a show. "They went behind some trees at some point so I didn't see," she told Patch. "It didn't sound right after that, and the skies kind of got quiet, my heart kind of dropped, and I just kind of hoped I didn't get a call from my kids schools."

About 60 firefighters and emergency medical personnel from the Melville Fire Department and surrounding areas responded to the scene. They extinguished the blaze in less than 10 minutes using firefighting foam.

Johansen was a teammate and executive officer of the Skytypers. He was a professional airline pilot, a Naval aviator and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

The Skytypers is a team of planes that release a "puff" at planned moments to create a message in the sky.

The group released a statement regarding the crash: "A careful and thorough investigation is already underway. We are working with local law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Our thoughts are with Ken and his family."

No structures were involved in the crash and no one was injured on the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene. The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of Johansen's death.

The Melville Fire Department responded with three engines, a quint ladder, tactical support unit, three ambulances, paramedic responder and fire police. A crash truck from Republic Airport, an engine from East Farmingdale Fire Co., and ambulance from Plainview Fire Department provided assistance. The Dix Hills and Huntington Manor fire departments and Huntington Community First Aid Squad also provided standby coverage.

Units were under the direction of Chief Chris Nolan and Assistant Chiefs David Kaplan and Jason Bernfeld. The fire was extinguished in less then 10 minutes using firefighting foam, according to PIO Steve Silverman

Image via Steve Silverman