Small Aircraft Crashes in Delaware County, New York: Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

In a developing situation, a small aircraft reportedly crashed into Lake Cecil in Masonville, Delaware County, New York, on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which occurred around 2 PM EDT, has prompted an immediate response from local emergency services and search and rescue teams.

According to initial reports from Delaware County 911 scanners, the aircraft in question is believed to be a Piper 45, a six-passenger capacity plane. While unconfirmed sources suggest that five individuals were on board at the time of the crash, officials have yet to verify this information.

Eyewitness accounts from local residents and social media users describe seeing the plane "go down" in the vicinity of Lake Cecil. These reports have fueled concern and sparked a flurry of activity in the normally quiet rural area.

The Priority One Safety Team, a volunteer Emergency Response Team, has been actively monitoring the situation. In a statement released on their Facebook page, the team confirmed that they are "getting information at this time that there may be a Commercial Plane crash located in Delaware County New York." They further added that they are "currently watching air traffic and listening to the scanner feeds to determine where exactly it is."

As of now, search efforts are in full swing, with crews scouring the area for any signs of the aircraft or potential survivors. Notably, there have been no reports of smoke in the vicinity, which could potentially complicate the search operation.

A command station has been established at the Trout Creek Fire House in Trout Creek, NY, to coordinate the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Local authorities are urging residents to stay clear of the area to allow emergency responders unimpeded access.

As this is a developing story, details remain limited. Local and state officials are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined, and it is likely that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be involved in the investigation once the immediate search and rescue operations conclude.

Why This Matters: This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in aviation safety, particularly for small aircraft. It underscores the importance of robust emergency response systems in rural areas and the critical role of volunteer emergency teams in managing crisis situations.

Key Takeaways:

• A small aircraft, believed to be a Piper 45, reportedly crashed in Delaware County, NY.
• The crash site is thought to be in or near Lake Cecil in Masonville.
• Unconfirmed reports suggest five people were on board.
• Search and rescue operations are currently underway.
• A command center has been established at Trout Creek Fire House to coordinate efforts.