NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — A pilot was killed in a plane crash Saturday afternoon, according to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Michael Filicetti said a single-engine plane owned by Skydive the Falls crashed just before noon on the Niagara Scenic Parkway northeast of the Fort Niagara State Park.
An investigation revealed that the plane had dropped off divers and was heading back to land when it crashed. The pilot, 26-year-old Melanie Georger, was killed.
Georger's dad told 7 News that she was born and raised in the Town of Tonawanda. She went to Kenmore East and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University at Buffalo.
Niagara County Sheriff's Office provides update on Skydive the Falls plane crash.
7 News spoke with a first-time diver who flew with Georger Saturday morning.
"She was young. She was super nice," said Jeff Walker. "She said welcome and asked me if this was my first jump and she said enjoy it and have fun."
Walker said he was on the flight right before the flight that crashed.
"This is just a tragedy beyond belief and it literally happens the next flight after mine," he said.
The crash started a brush fire. A portion of the parkway heading toward Fort Niagara will remain closed on Saturday while the FAA and NTSB continue their investigation.
7 News has reached out to Skydive the Falls for comment.
