New York flight instructor killed in I-684 plane crash was an "extremely cautious pilot," his family says
HARRISON, N.Y. -- The man killed in a small plane crash on I-684 near New York's Westchester County Airport has been identified as Yankele Friedman, a 32-year-old flight instructor who was with a student when the aircraft went down.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the Dec. 12 crash on the highway in Harrison, but said Friday preliminary information from the scene points to engine failure.
The New York Department of Environmental Protection was also working to cleanup an aviation gas spill.
Man killed was an experienced flight instructor, his family says
Friedman, of Monsey, had over 1,000 hours of flying experience before the crash landing, his father Samuel Friedman told CBS News New York.
"It was a new plane, brand new plane," he said.
The single-engine plane took off from Linden Airport in New Jersey at around 6 p.m.
According to FlightAware, the plane was heading north along the Hudson River when it suddenly dropped in altitude. Audio reveals an air traffic controller responded to the pilot's emergency report and attempted to guide them to the Westchester County Airport.
New York State Police said the plane crashed on the I-684 median near Greenwich, Connecticut about an hour after takeoff.
Kalmen Goldberger, a 26-year-old student flying with Friedman, survived the plane crash, Friedman's father said.
"I heard from the police, that the engine stopped working," he said. "The student survived. A miracle."
"He was hospitalized yesterday. I don't know if he still is. I know that people were talking to him and he was fine. So, that's good news," said Joshua Friedman, Yankele's brother.
No one on the ground was hurt.
"He loved to take people flying"
According to the family, Friedman gave private flight lessons to people who speak Yiddish and also took his large family on flights.
"He loved to take people flying. He would take everybody flying, close friends, everybody. He was extremely, extremely cautious pilot. Always used to explain everything and go over every, single detail on how many extra steps he would take about being cautious," Joshua Friedman said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement, "My heart goes out to the loved ones of those on board during this tragic incident, and I am praying for a safe recovery for the injured individual."
Friedman was the oldest of 12 siblings and leaves behind a 13-year-old child.
