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Small plane crashes at Hudson Valley airport; pilot from New Jersey killed

Authorities say it happened around 2:30 p.m. in the Town of Shawangunk.

Bob Doda

Sep 27, 2025, 10:26 PM

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A pilot from New Jersey was killed in single-engine plane crash Saturday afternoon at an Ulster County airport, according to state police.

Authorities say it happened around 2:30 p.m. in the Town of Shawangunk.

A News 12 source was told that the plane crashed during take off at Kobelt/Walkill Airport. The crash caused a small brush fire.

Pictures shared by Orange and Rockland County Fire showed a large plume of smoke near a wooded area.

The pilot was identified as Gerald Cotter, 80, of Milford, New Jersey.

Malorie Lebow told News 12 that she saw a large explosion and stopped to see if she could help.

"Unfortunately, it was an inferno so I couldn't get too close," she said.

Police say they have notified the FAA about the incident and an investigation is ongoing.

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