Dan Wilson Obituary, Death – Dan Wilson, a Montgomery County Legislator, has been identified by his family as the person killed in a plane crash at Block Island State Airport on Wednesday. The crash occurred during the aircraft’s third attempt to land, resulting in one fatality and two others being hospitalized.
The plane, a private aircraft owned by the Condair Flyers Flying Club and based at Albany International Airport, departed from Albany at 10:50 a.m. and was headed for Block Island. According to flight tracking data, the plane attempted to land three times. During the first two approaches, it circled the airport before making a final descent on the third attempt, which ended in tragedy. The aircraft reportedly approached the runway at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
Eyewitnesses described the aircraft making multiple attempts before it ultimately crashed just short of the runway. Block Island Police Chief Paul Deane provided more details, stating that the plane circled the airport twice before making its final landing attempt. He explained that it appeared the aircraft touched down too far down the runway, leading to the crash. Emergency crews had to cut open the side of the plane to rescue the passengers who were trapped inside.
All three individuals on board were said to be in their 70s and residents of New York. They were immediately transported to the Block Island Medical Center for treatment. While authorities have not publicly released the names of the survivors, CBS 6 reported that a woman on Facebook has identified one of the survivors as her mother.
Dan Wilson’s family confirmed to CBS 6 on Thursday morning that he was the one who died in the crash. Wilson was a well-known figure in Montgomery County, and news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the local community. He was active in public service and had a reputation for being dedicated to the residents he served.
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. Authorities are likely to examine flight conditions, mechanical issues, and pilot decisions as part of the probe. The aircraft’s final descent and its overshoot of the runway may be key factors in determining what went wrong.
This tragedy marks a significant loss not only for Wilson’s family but also for the constituents and colleagues who worked with him. As investigators work to uncover more information, many in the region are mourning the sudden and devastating loss of a respected public servant.
The Block Island crash serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with small aircraft travel, especially during challenging landings. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues and as more details become available about the survivors and their conditions.
