NEW YORK (Sputnik) – According to The New York Post, the single seat P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane left with two other aircraft from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Long Island. The other two aircraft have returned to the airport safely.
"The plane was secured to a harbor launch and rescue divers entered the water in search of the pilot. A 56-year-old male was removed from the water and declared deceased by EMS [Emergency Medical Services]. The investigation is ongoing," NYPD said on Friday.
Earlier, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) said via Twitter that there were conflicting reports from the scene of the Friday plane crash, which occurred at around 07:30 pm local time (23:30 GMT) in the vicinity of the 79 Street Boat Basin.
Plane downed near 79th St. Pier. 1 survivor in water. NJSP Heli & boats on scene. 2 NJSP Divers in water searching for poss add'tl survivors
— NJSP — State Police (@NJSP) May 28, 2016
NJSP specified that it could not confirm its earlier report that the plane’s pilot had been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
