Pilot practising for New York Air Show dies after plane crashes
A stunt pilot has died after his plane crashed while practising for the New York Air Show on Friday.
The crash happened at around 2pm at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor where the event is due to take place this weekend.
According to ABC7, after a beautiful performance, the GILES 202 plane suddenly shot up and stalled before dropping from the sky.
State police said the pilot was an experienced stuntman and had travelled around the country to perform at air shows.
"Unfortunately I just think it's a tragic accident where it was some type of equipment failure or technical failure that led to this, so I don't know if there's anything from a safety standpoint that could have been done to prevent this," said Captain Brendan Casey, of the New York State Police.
Speaking to The Independent, photographer and editor-in-chief of NYCAviation.com, Benjamin Granucci, said he saw the tail being blown off the plane and witnessed the trail of heavy smoke left behind.
"There are no words to describe it," he told the newspaper. "You knew what was happening, you knew what was coming."
CBS Local reports that the man's name has been withheld until his next of kin is notified.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
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