Troopers identify pilot in Great Sacandaga Lake plane crash at Northampton; Passenger injured

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

FILE - Great Sacandaga Lake near Northampton

NORTHAMPTON – New York State Police Monday identified the pilot in a Sunday small plane crash on Great Sacandaga Lake as a Troy man.

Troopers also indicated that one passenger suffered injuries in the incident characterized as non-life-threatening, while the pilot and a second passenger were not injured.

Troopers identified the pilot as Matthew Clemente, 66, of Troy.

The incident involved a small single-engine Maule MX-7 aircraft and happened just before noon Sunday in the area of 328 Houseman Street, Northhampton, police said.

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The preliminary investigation determined that the plane was attempting to take off from the area of the Northampton Campground when a gust of wind caught the plane when it was only a few feet off the ground, police said.

The plane then dropped into the shallow water of the lake and flipped over, police said.

Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino previously reported that the person injured was conscious and alert at the scene. That person was then airlifted to the hospital.

Other first responders involved at the scene included State Police and Northampton-based fire and emergency teams.

The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted and is investigating.