TOWN OF YATES, N.Y. (WKBW) — The two victims of a Sunday afternoon Orleans County plane crash have been identified by the county's Coroner's Office.
The pilot of the plane, 70-year-old Earl J. Luce Jr of Brockport, and his passenger, 72-year-old Morris Wortman of Rochester, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
An initial investigation indicated that the wings of the hand-built aircraft became detached from the fuselage and fell to the ground, landing in an orchard.
The aircraft fuselage continued for another 1000 to 1500 yards before crashing behind a residence.
Deputies with the Orleans County Sheriff's Office said that the experimental, homemade aircraft appeared to have broken apart before crashing along Townline Road in Ridgeway late Sunday afternoon.
Authorities say the wreckage was scattered over a wide area on both sides of the street.
Crews at a nearby private airport became concerned and called the police when the pilot failed to return when expected.
