MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have released their findings from a preliminary report on the deadly plane crash that took place at the Saratoga County Airport on May 26.
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Officials said a small Piper PA-25-235 plane towing a glider became unstable shortly after takeoff. Surveillance video showed that at an altitude of about 200 feet, the glider pitched up and climbed above the towplane. This pulled the tail of the towplane up, pitching its nose down.
The glider pilot reported that he made several attempts to release before successfully separating from the towplane. The towplane subsequently crashed onto the runway, where it caught fire. The glider returned to the airport and landed.
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The aircraft caught fire after the impact of the crash. The pilot, later identified as 58-year-old James Stewart, of Caroga Lake, died after being taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Both aircraft were retained for further examination. The investigation remains ongoing…