An 80-year-old Saratoga Springs man has been identified as the pilot who died after two glider planes collided in midair Friday in Edinburg, Saratoga County, according to New York State Police.
Pilot identified
The deceased pilot was identified as James L. Morzillo, 80, of Saratoga Springs.
Investigators determined Morzillo was flying with a group of gliders when his aircraft struck another glider. The contact reportedly caused Morzillo to lose control of the aircraft, which then crashed.
Morzillo was the only person aboard his glider.
Gliders were headed to Hamilton County
The group of gliders was assisted into the air by an engine-powered plane that departed from Saratoga County Airport, according to investigators.
The gliders were intended to land at Piesco Airport in Hamilton County.
One of the gliders
involved in the collision landed safely at Plateau Sky Ranch Airport, and its pilot was not injured.
FAA, NTSB investigating
State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Debris from the aircraft was located around 4:54 p.m. Sept. 18 in a remote area off Sand Lake Road in Edinburg, with assistance from State Police Aviation, New York State Forest Rangers, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and local fire departments.
The crash site was subsequently located, where investigators found Morzillo deceased.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Pilot killed in upstate New York glider crash identified
