Valhalla Pilot Killed In Plane Crash After Departing Hudson Valley Regional Airport In Poughkeepsie

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A Westchester County pilot was killed in a plane crash, after departing Poughkeepsie Airport, according to officials.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office says that it received a report of a plane crash at the Piseco Airport on Sunday, at 7:09 p.m.

The pilot, identified as 74-year-old Kenneth J. Andreau, of Valhalla, was en route from Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Poughkeepsie to Piseco Airport when he crashed while attempting to land at Piseco, the sheriff's office said. The pilot was the only occupant of the single-engine Cessna aircraft, according to the department.

The crash happened approximately 150 yards short of the airfield.

Andreau was declared dead at the scene.

"The Sheriff’s Office wishes to express our condolences to the Andreau family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them," the department said in a statement released on Monday. "The Sheriff’s Office also would like to extend our sincere thanks to the following agencies that assisted us at the scene; New York State Forest Rangers, Piseco Volunteer Fire Department, Town of Piseco Officials, Lake Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, Speculator Volunteer Fire Department, and Speculator Volunteer Ambulance."

The NTSB and FAA are said to be on scene and have taken over the investigation.