Two men killed in plane crash at MacArthur Airport

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed near the end of the runway at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma around 6 p.m. on Monday, July 22. The cause of the crash, which occurred during takeoff, is currently unknown, according to the FAA.

Two people were on board. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, the male pilot and his adult male passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The pilot who was killed has been identified as Christopher Kucera, 46, of Fredericksburg, Virgina. The passenger who was killed has been identified as Zachary Hatcher, 43, of King George, Virginia.

The plane in the crash, a six-seater that retails between $500,000 to $1,000,000, is described by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as representative of the “ultimate piston single.”

Local police and the Holbrook Fire Department Heavy Rescue Unit and EMS responded to the scene.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates.

“It is very early in the investigation and not much information is available at this time,” said Keith Holloway, spokesperson for the NTSB. “What I can provide is that an NTSB investigator is expected to be on scene today [July 23] to begin documenting the scene, examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:

• Recordings of any air traffic control communications
• Radar data (flight track data), including weather reports, weather forecasts, and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident
• 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight
• Witness statements, including electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation, and any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras.
• Aircraft maintenance records
• Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are also investigating the plane crash. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact SCPD Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392.