Richard Rockefeller killed in small plane crash in Westchester County

PURCHASE (WABC) -- Richard Rockefeller was killed when the plane he was piloting crashed near the SUNY Purchase campus Friday morning.

Family spokesman Fraser Seitel said Rockefeller, great grandson of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller, was the only person on board. The 64-year-old, of Falmouth, Maine, was a doctor and father of two, according to the spokesman.

The plane, a 2001 Piper, was registered in Portland, Maine. It crashed on Route 120 and Cottage Road in Purchase about 10 minutes after it took off from Westchester County Airport at 8:08 a.m.

The plane struck some trees west of the airfield.

Seitel said Rockefeller had dinner Thursday night with his father, David Rockefeller, who was celebrating his 99th birthday. He was flying back to Maine Friday.

"He was an experienced pilot ... He has been flying for years," said Seitel.

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