Two gliders collide in midair over upstate New York, one pilot killed

A collision between two gliders in midair over upstate New York on Friday afternoon killed one of the pilots, according to federal officials. The accident occurred at about 3:15 p.m. EDT.

New York State Police identified the pilot who died as James Morzillo, 80, of Saratoga Springs, New York.

Preliminary information from the FAA states that Morzillo's glider, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2B registered as N61XC, was struck when the left wing of a Schleicher ASW 24 glider, N404CG, hit its nose. The impact caused Morzillo to lose control. Searchers located the wreckage hours later in woods near Edinburg, New York, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

The second pilot, who was not injured, landed safely at Plateau Sky Ranch Airport (1F2).

Both gliders had been towed aloft from Saratoga County Airport (5B2) and were bound for Piesco Airport (K09), roughly 37 nautical miles to the northwest, when they collided, investigators said.

The New York State Police, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the FAA are investigating. The NTSB is leading the inquiry.