2 men killed in plane crash at Long Island MacArthur Airport identified
ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) -- Authorities identified the two men killed in a small plane crash on Long Island Monday night.
Their small plane crashed at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, killing the couple.
Pilot, Christopher Kucera, 46, and Zachary Hatcher, 43, the passenger, were both from Virginia. No other injuries were reported.
The FAA says a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed near the end of the runway at the airport around 6:15 p.m.
According to the NTSB, the plane had just taken off and got about 100 to 150 feet in the air before it nosedived and crashed near the end of the runway
The NTSB says it doesn't appear the plane was trying to land, it wasn't out of fuel and there was no mayday call.
Family members tell Eyewitness News that Chris and his partner Zach were visiting friends not far from the airport. They were heading back home to Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the time of the crash.
Loved ones are understandably devastated, but told the Fredericksburg Free Press that Chris always showed interest in becoming a pilot and had gotten his pilot's license by age 17.
"We're devastated," said Mike Kucera, the victim's brother. "Chris loved that plane, and he loved Zach."
Hatcher was recently hired as the CEO of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region after many years as senior director of development for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He was supposed to start the role next month.
In a statement, the foundation said Hatcher played pivotal roles at organizations... leaving an indelible mark on these organizations and the causes they serve.
Chris attended Virgina Tech, where he studied aerospace engineering. He was a very experienced pilot and had at least 1,500 hours in Beechcraft Bonanza A36 that crashed. He's had the plane for nearly a decade.
"Chris died doing what he loved most and with the man he loved most. We are grateful for that," Kucera said. "Considering the loss of power so soon after takeoff, Chris is a hero for avoiding casualties on the ground."
The NTSB said the wreckage will be moved to a hangar as the investigation continues. The runway to reopened Tuesday night.
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