Plane Wreckage Being Removed in Windham

WINDHAM - Parts of the plane involved in the November fatal crash in the higher elevations of Windham are being removed.

Commercial pilot Seuk Kim, of Springfield, Virginia, along with one of three dogs that were being transported on the flight, were fatally injured in the November crash.

A helicopter has been recently seen lowering a section of the plane onto a flatbed truck at C. D. Lane Park in Maplecrest.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the crash in December. The wreck remnants were retained for further examination. The agency has documented the wreckage and no longer needs it for the investigation, officials said.

NTSB reportedly released the wreckage to the involved insurance company, who hired an aircraft recovery company to remove the remnants. The wreckage will either be preserved for potential future litigation or it will be disposed of, NTSB officials said.

Due to the plane crash and its investigation, the Escarpment Trail between the Elm Ridge Lean-to and the summit of Windham High Peak in the Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness has been temporarily closed. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the area remains closed but may be reopening soon.

Mr. Kim, 49, was flying from Maryland to Albany, when the plane crashed in a remote area of Windham, officials said.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the pilot died from the impact, Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky said. The flight was carrying three dogs and was associated with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals with help from volunteer pilots, the Sheriff said.

Two dogs survived the crash: A Labrador-mix puppy that suffered broken bones, and another dog that had only minor injuries. The puppy, named Whiskey, was taken to a veterinary hospital in Middleton, Connecticut, according to the nonprofit Mr. Kim was delivering the dogs to, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County. The other dog found safe was a 18-month-old yorkie terrier mix named Pluto.

The NTSB reported that there are no updates to provide on the plane crash investigation.