'We Are Hopeful We Will Locate The Plane': EH Police Chief

AMAGANSETT, NY — Police are out searching Thursday for a plane that crashed off the coast of Amagansett Saturday.

"We have a total of five vessels out searching today. East Hampton Town Police Department divers and Sea Tow commercial divers are prepared," East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael 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.

Onboard were Bernard Krupinski, 70, and his wife Bonnie Krupinksi, 70, of East Hampton, the couple's grandson William Maerov, 22, of East Hampton, and pilot Jon Dollard, 47, of Hampton Bays, police said.

Services for the Krupinskis and their grandson begin Thursday.

Two bodies have been recovered and two are still, police said. The names of those found are being withheld until they are identified by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office.

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 photos of rescue scene by Donna Liebowitz.