Sheriff blames weather for crash

Jan 05, 2011 at 08:39 am by Observer-Review


BARRINGTON   PHOTO

Sheriff blames weather for crash

BARRINGTON—Even though the investigation is continuing in the Barrington plane crash from Dec. 22, Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike said it looks like the weather was the cause.
Dr. Michael S. Lippe, 56, of Mahwah, N.J. was killed in a single-engine plane crash Wednesday evening, Dec. 22 in a rural, wooded area of the town of Barrington.
The weather conditions included freezing rain and sleet at the time of the crash.  Authorities said the coroner’s report determined Lippe died instantly from a head injury on impact.  Spike said as of Monday, Jan. 3, the toxicology report has not been completed yet.
However, he added the preliminary investigation is showing that the weather seems to be the main cause of the accident.  The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating.
The deceased physician lived at 40 Hutton Drive, Mahwah, N.J. Spike stated, “Investigation reveals that he left the Essex County Calwell Field Airport at 6:39 p.m. scheduled to land at the Penn Yan airport at 7:54 p.m.” Dr. Lippe was planning to cover an emergency room shift at Finger Lakes Health Geneva General Hospital.
Spike continued, “The aircraft appears to have been on its flight plan and struck the tops of trees forcing it down losing one wing and its front engine before striking trees head on. The original fire was from fuel inside the wing on its way down. The damaged wooded area from the crash is approximately 100 yards long.”
Area residents called Yates County 911 dispatchers stating that a plane had crashed in the area one-half mile north of State Route 230 between John Green and Bill Bailey Roads.  At 8:25 p.m., Dundee fire personnel and deputies located the wreckage. 

 
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