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Three killed in NY small plane crash www.privateofficer.com
June 15, 2009
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Three killed in NY small plane crash http://www.privateofficer.com
SCOTIA NY June 15 2009 — Family members of three people killed in Sunday’s crash of a small plane into the Mohawk River were on the scene this morning as the plane was pulled from the river.
The body of the third victim, believed to be George Kolath, 42, was found inside the plane shortly before noon today. Two others were pulled from the river Sunday evening.
Crews used a barge to pull the plane from the river just before 11 a.m.
The Lock 9 recreation area, which saw a steady stream of spectators this morning, was cleared at about 11:30 a.m. as state police moved the plane to dry land.
Believed killed in the crash were Kolath and his son George Kolath Jr., Newsday of Long Island reported this morning, citing relatives. The body of a third victim, a doctor, was also recovered.
Family members watched the search from the shore near the Mohawk Valley Airport. An SUV carrying two relatives, including Kolath’s brother-in-law, Anil Paulose, left just before noon.
Paulose told The Daily Gazette, “We are here to know the details. We’re totally devastated.” Regarding the child, Paulose said, “He was a good boy. He was good at everything, sports, academics.” The boy was one of six children, Paulose said.
The single-engine plane crashed into the Mohawk River at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday, just after takeoff at the small Mohawk Valley Airport off Route 5.
Witnesses said the plane, a four-passenger Piper Cherokee private aircraft, was taking off from the runway heading west and was having difficulty gaining altitude.
Witnesses behind the plane said they thought it did not gain enough speed for takeoff.
Skip Ryan, a pilot for Mohawk Valley Skydivers who was waiting to take off in the plane behind the one that crashed, said the pilot finally got the plane into the air and it looked like everything was fine.
“I watched it go over the brush and go into the river,” Ryan said.
Kolath is the brother of Indian actor and producer Tom George Kolath, Indian news outlet Mathrubhumi.org reported. The site identified Kolath as Kolath Mathai and his son as Palakkad Olavakkod Kolath Matt George. Father and son were on their way to Long Island, the Web site reported.
George Kolath Sr. owns several hotels, as well as a $40 million “castle” in Albany, Newsday reported, citing Anil Paulose.
A witness who did not want to be identified said the plane barely cleared the trees before the nose pulled up and the plane appeared to stall and wobble before going down tail first, landing in the river between Locks 8 and 9. The plane sank nose first.
Pat Montenaro, who lives nearby at 4625 Amsterdam Road, said the plane was flying below the tree level and then appeared to stall in the air before coming down in the river.
Four people went out from the skydiving club to lend assistance. Skydiving instructor Mike McGuire said he called for help from a boat and then went to the spot where the plane sank.
The plane was completely submerged in the river, so they located it by dragging the boat’s anchor. They attempted to dive about 15 to 20 feet below the surface, but could not get the doors of the plane open.
“It was too deep, too dark,” McGuire said.
Kay Greene, a waitress at the Hen House restaurant at the airport, said an adult and a boy who appeared to be 7 or 8 years old entered the restaurant for a drink before going out in the plane. Greene said the restaurant’s owners take a picture of every plane that visits the airport.
McGuire said he had seen the passengers in the Hen House and did not recognize them as being from the area.
“There was a kid aboard that aircraft. I wanted him out more than anything,” he said.
The Mohawk Valley Airport is a popular location for planes to stop in. On average about four planes fly into the airport each day. However, McGuire said it was unusual to have a low-wing aircraft at the airport. “You don’t get as much lift on takeoff, generally,” he said. The Piper Cherokee has its wings below the fuselage.
The body of the third victim, believed to be George Kolath, 42, was found inside the plane shortly before noon today. Two others were pulled from the river Sunday evening.
Crews used a barge to pull the plane from the river just before 11 a.m.
The Lock 9 recreation area, which saw a steady stream of spectators this morning, was cleared at about 11:30 a.m. as state police moved the plane to dry land.
Believed killed in the crash were Kolath and his son George Kolath Jr., Newsday of Long Island reported this morning, citing relatives. The body of a third victim, a doctor, was also recovered.
Family members watched the search from the shore near the Mohawk Valley Airport. An SUV carrying two relatives, including Kolath’s brother-in-law, Anil Paulose, left just before noon.
Paulose told The Daily Gazette, “We are here to know the details. We’re totally devastated.” Regarding the child, Paulose said, “He was a good boy. He was good at everything, sports, academics.” The boy was one of six children, Paulose said.
The single-engine plane crashed into the Mohawk River at about 2:20 p.m. Sunday, just after takeoff at the small Mohawk Valley Airport off Route 5.
Witnesses said the plane, a four-passenger Piper Cherokee private aircraft, was taking off from the runway heading west and was having difficulty gaining altitude.
Witnesses behind the plane said they thought it did not gain enough speed for takeoff.
Skip Ryan, a pilot for Mohawk Valley Skydivers who was waiting to take off in the plane behind the one that crashed, said the pilot finally got the plane into the air and it looked like everything was fine.
“I watched it go over the brush and go into the river,” Ryan said.
Kolath is the brother of Indian actor and producer Tom George Kolath, Indian news outlet Mathrubhumi.org reported. The site identified Kolath as Kolath Mathai and his son as Palakkad Olavakkod Kolath Matt George. Father and son were on their way to Long Island, the Web site reported.
George Kolath Sr. owns several hotels, as well as a $40 million “castle” in Albany, Newsday reported, citing Anil Paulose.
A witness who did not want to be identified said the plane barely cleared the trees before the nose pulled up and the plane appeared to stall and wobble before going down tail first, landing in the river between Locks 8 and 9. The plane sank nose first.
Pat Montenaro, who lives nearby at 4625 Amsterdam Road, said the plane was flying below the tree level and then appeared to stall in the air before coming down in the river.
Four people went out from the skydiving club to lend assistance. Skydiving instructor Mike McGuire said he called for help from a boat and then went to the spot where the plane sank.
The plane was completely submerged in the river, so they located it by dragging the boat’s anchor. They attempted to dive about 15 to 20 feet below the surface, but could not get the doors of the plane open.
“It was too deep, too dark,” McGuire said.
Kay Greene, a waitress at the Hen House restaurant at the airport, said an adult and a boy who appeared to be 7 or 8 years old entered the restaurant for a drink before going out in the plane. Greene said the restaurant’s owners take a picture of every plane that visits the airport.
McGuire said he had seen the passengers in the Hen House and did not recognize them as being from the area.
“There was a kid aboard that aircraft. I wanted him out more than anything,” he said.
The Mohawk Valley Airport is a popular location for planes to stop in. On average about four planes fly into the airport each day. However, McGuire said it was unusual to have a low-wing aircraft at the airport. “You don’t get as much lift on takeoff, generally,” he said. The Piper Cherokee has its wings below the fuselage.
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