2 Virginia men identified who died in plane crash at Long Island MacArthur Airport

ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) – Authorities have determined the identities of the two men who died in a small plane crash on Long Island on Monday evening.

Their small plane crashed at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, killing the couple.

The pilot Christopher Kucera (46) and the passenger Zachary Hatcher (43) both came from Virginia. No other injuries were reported.

The FAA said a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed near the end of the airport’s runway at about 6:15 p.m.

Suffolk County police said the small plane took off in a southwesterly direction and, according to a witness, was in the air and attempted to return to the airport for an “unknown reason.” Upon returning, the plane crashed.

The family tells Eyewitness News that Chris and his partner Zach were visiting friends near the airport and were on their way home to Virginia when the crash happened.

A 180-degree turn shortly after takeoff is considered extremely risky for a single-engine aircraft, according to FAA guidelines. If an engine failure is the cause, pilots are instructed to try to land the aircraft without turning. However, it is not clear what mechanical problems, if any, have been discovered or reported.

Both the FAA and the NTSB arrived on scene and are investigating.

The victims’ families are understandably devastated, but told the Fredericksburg Free Press that Chris had always shown an interest in becoming a pilot and had already earned his pilot’s license at age 17.

“We are devastated,” said Mike Kucera, the victim’s brother. “Chris loved that plane and he loved Zach.”

Hatcher was recently hired as CEO of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region after serving for many years as senior development director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Chris attended Virginia Tech where he studied aerospace engineering. He was a very experienced pilot. He had flown at least 1500 hours in the crashed Beechcraft Bonanza A36. He has had the plane for almost a decade.

“Chris died doing what he loved most and with the man he loved most. For that we are grateful. Given the loss of power so soon after takeoff, Chris is a hero because there were no casualties on the ground,” said Will Mackintosh, Fredericksburg City Councilor and friend of the victims.

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