Ex-Patriots Player Russ Francis Among 2 Dead In NY Plane Crash

LAKE PLACID, NY — Former Patriots tight end Russ Francis, 70, is among two people killed in a plane crash in Lake Placid, New York Sunday afternoon, the team confirmed Monday.

The crash occurred around 4:50 p.m. at the end of the runway at Lake Placid Airport, where Francis had recently purchased the Lake Placid Airways scenic tour business, Lake Placid News reported. The involved plane was a single-engine Cessna 177 with two people on board, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to Patch Monday.

"We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of former New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis," the New England Patriots wrote in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Monday morning. "Our condolences are extended to Francis’ family and friends."

Francis played 13 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots (1975-80 and 1987-88) and the San Francisco 49ers (1982-87) after originally joining New England as a first-round draft pick out of Oregon in the 1975 NFL Draft.

He was a two-time All-Pro (1976 and 1978), three-time Pro Bowl player (1977, 1978 and 1979), a member of the Patriots all-decade team (1970s) and a member of the Patriots 35th Anniversary Team. He finished his career after the 1988 season with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft shared his owned statement of condolenses on behalf of the New England Patriots organization.

"Russ was a fan favorite throughout his playing career. He was a dynamic player on the field who had an even bigger personality off it," Kraft said. "He knew no boundaries, pushed the limits and lived his life to the fullest. Our thoughts are with Russ's family, friends, teammates and the many Patriots fans who mourn his loss."

Also killed in the crash was Richard McSpadden, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's senior vice president, according to a statement from the association.

McSpadden was appointed executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Institute in Feb. 2017 before being promoted to senior vice president in July 2020, according to his biography on the association's website.

Before his death, he had been "leading a team of certified flight instructors and content creators who develop and distribute aviation safety material—free of charge—in order to advance general aviation safety industrywide," his biography said.

"Richard’s pioneering work in flight safety, including his leadership in education and training, saved countless lives," National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a statement.

Patch reached out to the Lake Placid Police Department and the FAA for more information on Sunday's crash.