2 VA Men Die In Plane Crash At NY Airport

ISLIP, NY — A pilot from Fredericksburg and a passenger, also from Virginia, died in a small plane crash at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Monday evening. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation, the agency said Tuesday.

Pilot Christopher Kucera, 46, of Fredericksburg, and his passenger, Zachary Hatcher, 43, of King George, Virginia, were killed Monday around 6 p.m. when the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed near the end of MacArthur's runway 6, Mina Kaji, the Federal Aviation Administration's communications officer, told Patch.

On Tuesday afternoon, Keith Holloway of the NTSB told Patch that an investigator is expected to "begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft."

"The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation," Holloway said.

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment, Holloway said. During the process, investigators will gather information and records including recordings of any air traffic control communications, radar data and weather reports, weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident.

In addition, the investigator will gather a 72-hour background check on the pilot to determine if any issues could have affected his ability to safely operate the flight, he said.

The investigator will also obtain witness statements, aircraft maintenance records, the pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience data from electronic devices that may contain information relevant to the investigation, including any available surveillance video, Holloway said.

Anyone who saw the accident or anyone with surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov, Holloway told Patch.

"A typical NTSB investigation can take 12 to 24 months to complete," Holloway said. "A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report."

On Tuesday, Islip officials announced four flight cancellations because of the crash. While runway 6 is closed until the National Transportation Safety Board completes their investigation, runway 15R/33L is operational, Caroline Smith, the Town of Islip's communications officer, told Patch.

Patch Editor Jade Eckardt reported this story.