Berne, NY (WRGB) — On July 16, 2025, the New York State Police responded to a report of a downed aircraft in a field on Berne Altamont Road in the town of Berne, Albany County. A witness contacted 911 after observing a yellow aircraft from his residence.
Troopers found the pilot, 59-year-old Clifford A. Souza from Pattersonville, NY, standing outside the aircraft. The investigation revealed that the incident occurred the previous evening, July 15, at approximately 7:04 PM.
Mr. Souza reported that after departing from Duanesburgh Airport around 6:30 PM, he conducted a low approach over a field to assess it as a potential landing site. During the approach, the aircraft’s wheels contacted tall grass, resulting in a loss of airspeed and performance. Mr. Souza safely executed an emergency landing, during which the plane nosed over and landed upside down. He was not injured and was the sole occupant…