The New York State Police have released the identity of a pilot who died after a single-occupant plane crashed in Niagara County over the weekend.
Police say the pilot, Christopher Caruana, 35, of Grand Island, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the plane crashed just after 3 p.m. on Sunday near Braley Road in the town of Porter. Investigators determined the Harmon Rocket airplane was traveling north from Shear Airport when it failed to gain proper altitude and struck trees and power lines on Braley Road.
The plane crashed in a cornfield just north of Braley Road, state police say. Caruana was the only person on board the aircraft.
A preliminary report on the crash is expected in 2-3 weeks, while a final report that includes the probable cause and any contributing factors is expected in 12-24 months.