Pilot Keith Kilgallen and County Executive Marcus Molinaro
lighthearted after heavy landing
WAPPINGER – An emergency call was placed to Dutchess County 911 at 10:40am this morning from the flight tower at the Dutchess County Airport reporting a plane had crashed following takeoff. The crash occurred on Airport property west of the airport runway. The pilot, Keith Kilgallen and his wife, Margaret, walked away from the crash without injury and spoke highly of the immediate, coordinated emergency response from Airport personnel, New Hackensack Fire Department, Transcare, New York State Police and Dutchess County Sheriff Office.
“We are exceptionally grateful that both Keith & Margaret are safe and this accident did not have a tragic outcome,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, who responded to the scene with Commissioner of Public Works Noel Knille and Airport Director John Mouris. “Dutchess County airport personnel in partnership with county and local law enforcement and emergency response agencies all train to respond to emergencies such as these and today’s event demonstrated how critical that training is.”
Residents of Stuart, Florida, the Kilgallens had stopped at the Dutchess County Airport to refuel their Beechcraft Bonoza aircraft on their way to Burlington, Vermont. Immediately after takeoff Kilgallen, a pilot for more than 40 years, noticed an unusual vibration and realized the plane was not ascending as it should. He moved quickly to land the plane in a field area on the opposite side of Jackson Road, across from the end of the runway area. There were no fuel leaks or fire at the crash site. Both New York State Police Captain Dominic Chiumento and New Hackensack Fire Department Chief Paul Bucher both noted the pilot’s training and experience helped ensure the accident was not more extensive.
“The response time was immediate and very professional,” said Keith Kilgallen.
The last plane crash at the Dutchess County Airport was in 2013. The Dutchess County Airport has more than 73,000 takeoffs and landings a year.
The plane had stopped for refueling enroute from Florida to Vermont
