Police ID Pilot Killed In Long Island Plane Crash

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The pilot who died in a small plane crash in East Hampton Thursday afternoon has been identified as Kent I. Feuerring, 57, of Sagaponack, police said.

Witnesses reported seeing what appeared to be a wing that broke off the fuselage before the aircraft spiraled downward into the water, police said.

Feurring was president of the East Hampton Aviation Association.

According to East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo, the plane crash took place off Springy Banks Road, on the water's edge of Three Mile Harbor at about 12:33pm. Responding officers located a small single engine plane with the pilot, the single occupant of the plane, deceased, he said.

East End residents mourned as they heard the tragic news. "He always supported me in my photography and film. Always," said Bryan Downey. "Kent Feurring died doing what he loved to do. Flying. RIP, my friend. Now you have your wings."

EHTPD detectives secured the scene, and the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and the Suffolk Medical Examiner's office are responding to further investigate the "tragic crash," Sarlo said.

A representative for the Federal Aviation Administration said that a single-engine Seamax M-22 crashed in East Hampton around 12:35 p.m.

The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates, the FAA said.

According to its website, theEast Hampton Aviation Association was formed "to represent the interests of local general aviation and historic plane enthusiasts including pilots, owners, and operators of aircraft at the East Hampton Airport."

Anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact East Hampton Town Police detectives at 631-537-7575.