FLYING Magazine
Federal officials are investigating a midair collision between two gliders in upstate New York that killed one of the pilots. The accident happened Friday around 3:15 p.m. EDT.
New York State Police have identified the dead pilot as James Morzillo, 80, of Saratoga Springs, New York.
According to preliminary information provided by the FAA, Mozillo’s aircraft (N61XC), a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2B glider, “experienced a midair collision when the left wing struck the nose of N404CG, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider.”
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The collision caused Morzillo to lose control of his aircraft. The wreckage was found several hours later in a wooded area in the community of Edinburg, New York. Morzillo was pronounced dead at the scene, according to state police.
The other pilot was not injured and was able to land safely at nearby Plateau Sky Ranch Airport (1F2).
According to investigators, both gliders had launched via tow plane out of Saratoga County Airport (5B2) and were scheduled to land at Piesco Airport (K09), approximately 37 nm to the northwest. The aircraft were en route when they collided.
New York State Police, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and FAA are investigating the accident. The NTSB is in charge of the investigation.