Staff Report / August 31, 2026 (AI Generated Image)
ENFIELD – Two men have died following a small plane crash in Tompkins County on Sunday afternoon, August 30.
Deputies with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of North Applegate Road in the Town of Enfield around 12:35 p.m. after receiving a report of an aircraft down. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the owner of the aircraft, 52-year-old David Kornreich, deceased at the scene. The second occupant, 31-year-old Andrew Harrell, was rushed to Cayuga Medical Center in critical condition but later passed away from his injuries.
According to airport records, the aircraft – a 1977 Lake Model LA-4-200 – was cleared for takeoff from Ithaca Tompkins International Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m., with its last air traffic control tower contact recorded at 12:02 p.m.
Key details regarding the crash investigation and initial witness reports include:
- Witness Account: A eyewitness called authorities approximately 30 minutes after last tower contact, reporting that the aircraft appeared to suffer a mechanical issue shortly before going down.
- Property & Casualty Limits: Officials confirmed that no ground structures or additional individuals were involved or injured in the incident.
- Federal Investigation: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have assumed lead roles in determining the cause of the crash.
