Plane Crash in New York Kills Everyone on Board, Dog Survives

Long Island’s North Fork. Screenshot/Google Maps

A pilot and passenger were killed in a small plane crash along Long Island’s North Fork, but the dog survived, according to news reports.

Officials in the Town of Southold responded to the crash site on June 8. Federal officials said the type of plane involved in the crash was a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

Southold Supervisor Scott Russell told Long Island News 12 that the two on board died. According to NBC New York, police identified the two people on board as Robert Mark, and his girlfriend Susan Quagliano, who are both from Oakdale.

A farmer in the area found the dog, the report said.

The plane flew low before it crashed on land owned by Harbes Farm, reported Newsday. Russell added to the publication that the plane experienced engine trouble before circling once and crashing on farmland.

“Firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel arrived at the scene within minutes and put out the ensuing fire,” Harbes Farm said in a statement, reported Newsday.

“This is a sad tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the passengers of the aircraft,” the statement said.

The plane was going to Bedford, Massachusetts, from MacArthur Airport, according to CBS New York.

“I just thought wow that is really low,” said William Wallace, a local who saw the incident.

He added, “Being as low as he was and I think about it, I didn’t hear anything so maybe his engine was already cut on him already and that’s why he was listing.”

Investigators said that it seemed as if the pilot of the plane tried to avoid populated areas or roads. He aimed for a field, CBS New York reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is looking into the cause of the crash.

“They’ll extricate the bodies and well bring the records to the impound, and the FAA and the NTSB will conduct their investigation,” said Southold Town Police Department spokesman Lt. Richard Perkins.

Other details about the crash are not clear.