Harrietstown, NY (July 15, 2026) – Three people died after a twin-engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Hearf’s Way and State Route 186 on Monday, July 13. The aircraft had departed Adirondack Regional Airport at approximately 10:36 p.m. before going down a short time later.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the 1976 Piper Aerostar 601P was carrying a pilot and two passengers. All three were killed in the crash and the fire that followed. New York State Police identified the pilot as 70-year-old Gabriele Jasper of Toms River, New Jersey. The passengers were identified as 33-year-old Gabriella M. Hillgrube of Forked River, New Jersey, and a minor.
The National Transportation Safety Board responded to the site and is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A section of the Adirondack Rail Trail between State Route 186 and McMaster Road was closed while investigators examined the area.
The cause of the crash remains under review. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
What Is Typically Examined After a Small Plane Crashes in a Remote Area?
When an aircraft comes down in a wooded or otherwise difficult-to-access location, investigators first document the wreckage before it is moved. The position of major components, burn patterns, and debris distribution can provide valuable clues about what occurred during the final moments of the flight.
Investigators also review maintenance records, weather conditions, air traffic communications, and the aircraft’s recent flight history. Engines, flight controls, and other mechanical systems are carefully inspected for signs of malfunction or damage that occurred before ground contact.
If available, electronic equipment, surveillance video, and witness observations may help establish the aircraft’s path before the crash. Because aviation investigations involve extensive technical analysis, final findings often take months to complete.
