In a heart-wrenching incident, a plane crash at East Aurora, New York, near the property of Buffalo Bills player Dion Dawkins resulted in the death of the pilot.
- December 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - On Thursday, November 19, a single-engine plane crashed in East Aurora, New York, near a property owned by Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins. The incident resulted in the death of the pilot, who was the only person on board.
The plane, a 1979 Beechcraft A36, was traveling from Lansing, Michigan to White Plains, New York when it experienced mechanical issues. At 11:16 A.M. local time, Buffalo Niagara International Airport issued an alert about the plane's difficulties. The pilot had contacted an emergency line and was directed to the nearest airport, Buffalo Niagara International.
Around 11:22 A.M., the East Road fire control dispatch center received a 911 call reporting the crash in a wooded area near several homes, one owned by Dawkins. The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes by responding fire departments.
Dawkins, who was preparing for practice at the time of the crash, expressed his condolences to the pilot's family. He clarified that he does not reside at the property where the crash occurred but that his partner was present.
East Aurora Police Chief Patrick Welch stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide updates.
The crash site was in a residential neighborhood near Stewart Court, a home previously sold for $1.3 million. Witnesses reported seeing a large cloud of black smoke.
Dawkins, who was visibly emotional, said, "I just hope that the pilot's family is okay. I hope that they're doing all right, because somebody lost their life today." He added that he was grateful that his own family was safe due to the security measures in place.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
