Plane crash at Long Island's MacArthur Airport kills pilot and his life partner, family says
RONKONKOMA, 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"
Kucera's family told CBS New York the victims were life partners who had been visiting friends on Long Island.
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.
His partner, Hatcher, was a community fundraiser.
FAA, NTSB investigating what caused the crash
The single-engine Beachcraft Bonanza A36 turned back after takeoff and crashed near the end of the runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it appears the plane lost engine power seconds before it went into a nosedive.
At a briefing Tuesday afternoon, an NTSB investigator said witnesses saw the plane take off normally, but then they heard popping sounds and the engine stop before the plane crashed to the ground.
Mike Kucera believes his brother died trying to avoid hitting people on the ground.
"It was pretty clear to me that he was doing that intentionally to save lives on the ground, and I think it needs to be stated that my brother died a hero for making that decision and not being selfish and trying to keep the plane straight," he said.
The NTSB will remove the wreckage from the runway Tuesday night, so flights can resume at MacArthur Airport. Ten departures were canceled due to the crash.