3 Killed as Aerostar 601P Crashes Near Adirondack Regional Airport

Three people — including a 2-year-old child — were killed July 13 when a Smith Aerostar 601P, registration N800AA, crashed shortly after takeoff from Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) near Lake Clear, N.Y. New York State Police identified the victims as pilot Dr. Gabriele P. Jasper, 70, of Toms River, N.J.; his daughter, Gabriella M. Hillgrube, 33; and his granddaughter, Giuliana M. Hillgrube, 2.

According to a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report, the aircraft departed Runway 23 at approximately 10:35 p.m. EDT. Third-party commercial surveillance data indicates the flight lasted only 46 seconds, reaching a maximum altitude of roughly 125 feet above ground level before descending and leveling off at 75 feet AGL. During the final 12 seconds of recorded flight, the aircraft's groundspeed increased from 151 knots to 169 knots before contact was lost.

First responders located the wreckage approximately four hours after the accident in a wooded area near the Adirondack Rail Trail. The NTSB noted that a post-impact fire destroyed the majority of the aircraft, with a debris path extending roughly one-half mile from the initial impact point on a 230-degree magnetic heading. The aircraft, based at Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM) in Belmar, N.J., had flown uneventfully from New Jersey to New York earlier that evening. The NTSB, FAA and New York State Police are continuing to investigate the probable cause.