Hudson Valley Man Injured In Upstate Helicopter Crash

HYDE PARK, NY — A Dutchess County man was one of four people in a helicopter that crashed while inspecting power lines Tuesday, Oct. 30 in Clinton County. State police said Scott E. Fabia, 34 of Hyde Park, and Benjamin L. McAllister, 30, of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County, were injured in the crash. Pilot Robert T. Hoban Jr., 56, of Shamang, New Jersey, and a passenger, Jeremy P. Kearns, 30, of Massena, St. Lawrence County, were pronounced dead at Champlain Valley Physician's Hospital.

Police said, about 4:16 p.m. Oct. 30, they received a report of a helicopter crash in a field adjacent to Burke Road in the Town of Beekmantown.

Upon arrival of first responders, a helicopter was seen on fire partially suspended from power lines.

Fabia and McAllister were also taken to the hospital for further observation.

An investigation found the helicopter — a 1981 Aerospatiale model AS355F2 — owned by Catalyst Aviation LLC, was contracted by Northline Utilities for the New York Power Authority to work on the power lines.

Autopsies have been scheduled for Hoban and Kearns on Nov. 1.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are also assisting in the investigation, which is ongoing.

State Police were assisted at the scene by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, Clinton County Emergency Services and local fire and rescue personnel.

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