Pilot, 87, Uninjured After Plane Crashes in Columbia County

July 30, 2020

GHENT — An 87-year-old man walked away unscathed after the plane he was piloting crashed during takeoff Wednesday at an airport in Columbia County, authorities said.

The crash happened shortly after 2 p.m. at the Columbia County Airport off State Route 9H, officials said. Fred DeFilippis was attempting to take off in his 1978 Cessna 172N single-engine plane when it veered to the left after becoming airborne, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. The plane came to rest in a wooded area next to the runway.

DeFilippis, of Dobbs Ferry, was able to free himself from the plane and walk away, authorities said. He was evaluated at the scene and declined further medical attention.

The cause of the crash was not made clear Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

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