Plane, One Additional Body Found After Hamptons Crash: Cops

AMAGANSETT, NY — After an exhaustive search over the past week, the wreckage of the Piper PA31 Navajo that crashed off the coast of Amagansett Saturday was located on Thursday afternoon approximately one mile off Atlantic Avenue Beach — and one additional body was found amongst the debris Friday afternoon, East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo said.

Police divers have been scouring the wreckage throughout the day; the body found Friday was brought to United States Coast Guard Station Montauk to be transferred to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, police said.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending investigation by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's office.

Police divers are continuing their fierce efforts to locate the remaining victim, police said.

The plane lies in approximately 40 to 45 feet of water, and visibility is approximately three to five feet, police said. Sea Tow will remain on scene and continue to aid in the salvage of the plane wreckage.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified the first two victims recovered last Saturday as Bernard and Bonnie Krupinski, both 70, of East Hampton; their bodies were subsequently released to the family, police said.

Onboard with the Krupinskis were the couple's grandson William Maerov, 22, of East Hampton, and pilot Jon Dollard, 47, of Hampton Bays, police said.

A funeral service for the Krupinskis and their grandson took place Friday morning in East Hampton.

On Thursday, Sarlo said the search for the plane that crashed off the coast of Amagansett had a total of five vessels out searching. "East Hampton Town Police Department divers and Sea Tow commercial divers are prepared," Sarlo said. "We feel we have narrowed down the search area, and given the conditions today, are hopeful that we will locate the plane."

The United States Coast Guard, he said, will continue to provide safety and support the police department's efforts.

On Sunday, the Coast Guard suspended its sea search for two still missing after the crash until conditions improved, police said.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the Piper Navajo and its two remaining occupants due to rapidly deteriorating sea conditions; land based searches by law enforcement were slated to continue until sea conditions improved and the safe deployment of East Hampton Town marine patrol vessels was possible, police said.

The private plane failed to land as expected and the debris field was found a short time later, police said. The cause of the crash is being investigated with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration; severe weather including thunderstorms was reported at the time of the crash.

The search was suspended Saturday night until daybreak Sunday, when it resumed before being suspended again Sunday afternoon, police said. Police have continued to search this week.

Famed "builder to the stars" Ben Krupinski and his wife, as well as his grandson and Dollard have been mourned by countless on the East End.

"We are stricken by this loss," said Capt. Kevin B. Reed, commander Sector Long Island Sound. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the two recovered individuals."

According to Lt. Alaina Fagan, public affairs officer for Coast Guard sector Long Island Sound, there were "four souls onboard" the Piper PA 31 Navajo aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration lost contact with the aircraft at 2:33 p.m.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received a call at approximately 2:50 p.m. reporting the Piper PA 31 Navajo had crashed about a mile off of Indian Wells Beach. The USCG reported a debris field, one mile off the beach in Amagansett, she said.

Patch courtesy photo of rescue scene by Donna Liebowitz.

Patch courtesy photo of Krupinski family by Richard Lewin.