Plane crash at Long Island’s MacArthur Airport kills pilot and his life partner, family saysRONKONKOMA, N.Y. — A small plane crashed Monday at MacArthur Airport on Long Island, killing the pilot and his passenger.
Suffolk County Police said Christopher Kucera, 46, and Zachary Hatcher, 43, both of Virginia, were killed in the crash around 6:15 p.m. in Ronkonkoma.
Pilot’s family says he died “doing what he loved most”The family said Kucera was a highly experienced pilot who learned to fly at the age of 16. He later became an expert in aerospace safety.
“Chris died doing what he loved most and with the man he loved most – his life partner. We are grateful for that. Considering the loss of power so soon after takeoff, Chris is a hero for avoiding casualties on the ground. That must be reported,” his brother, Mike Kucera, said in a statement. Hatcher was a community fundraiser.The family said Kucera was a highly experienced pilot who learned to fly at the age of 16. He later became an expert in aerospace safety.
“Chris died doing what he loved most and with the man he loved most – his life partner. We are grateful for that. Considering the loss of power so soon after takeoff, Chris is a hero for avoiding casualties on the ground. That must be reported,” his brother, Mike Kucera, said in a statement.
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