The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Yankel (Yaakov) Friedman Z”L, a 32-year-old resident of Monsey. The incident occurred on December 12, 2024, near Greenwich, Connecticut, and involved a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008 aircraft, registration N298PM.
According to the report, the crash resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The commercial pilot, Yankel Friedman, tragically lost his life, while the private pilot on board sustained serious injuries and is in stable condition. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Timeline of the Incident
The aircraft took off from Linden Airport (LDJ) in New Jersey at approximately 6:09 PM and was en route to Albany, New York. By 6:20 PM, one of the pilots informed air traffic control of their intended route over the Hudson River. About 19 minutes later, the flight experienced engine trouble and decided to divert to Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York.
Communications with Air Traffic Control
At 6:39 PM, the pilot reported losing engine power and requested an emergency landing. Shortly afterward, the engine appeared to recover, prompting the pilot to continue toward HPN. However, at 6:42 PM, the engine failed again, and the pilot decided to proceed straight for runway 16.
Crash Details
Surveillance footage from HPN showed the aircraft making a steep left turn before descending rapidly. The plane ultimately crashed into the median of Interstate I-684. A witness on the highway reported seeing the aircraft fall quickly and noted no engine noise before the impact. He was able to rescue one occupant before emergency responders arrived.
The wreckage was recovered and transported to Westchester County Airport for examination. Investigators found no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction in the flight controls. The left fuel tank was damaged and leaking but contained only 0.3 gallons of fuel, while the right tank held approximately nine gallons.
Investigation Continues
The NTSB is retaining the wreckage and electronic flight data for further analysis. Investigators will examine personal electronic devices and flight displays recovered from the site to gain additional insights into the crash.