A pilot who transported rescue animals died this week following a plane crash in New York, authorities said.
The pilot and at least one dog being transported were killed when a small plane went down in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains. Remarkably, a puppy aboard the flight survived the crash, though it sustained two broken legs, authorities reported.
Pilot Identified
Seuk Kim, 49, was piloting a flight from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane went down around 6:10 p.m. local time on Sunday in a remote section of Windham, approximately 35 miles southwest of Albany, according to officials.
The pilot appears to have died on impact, according to Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, citing preliminary investigation findings.
Authorities identified Kim as a resident of Springfield, Virginia.
On Monday, Kusminsky said that officials were able to locate Kim's remains from the crash site, the Albany Times Union reported.
The Plane Crash
According to Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, the flight was linked to a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteer pilots to transport rescue animals. Among the three dogs aboard, a Labrador-mix puppy destined for a local animal shelter survived the crash, despite suffering two broken legs.
"It was pretty scared, and it was dug down into the snow," Kusminsky said.
The puppy is being treated at a veterinary hospital and is "doing well," the sheriff reported.
A third dog that was aboard the flight remains unaccounted for, authorities said.
Attempts to gather more information included a call to the animal hospital and an email to the nonprofit organization involved.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the crash.
Sheriff Peter Kusminsky stated that visibility was poor on Sunday, and Kim had requested permission to adjust his altitude due to turbulence shortly before the crash.
The Times Union reported that National Weather Service Meteorologist Rosemary Webb said the temperature in the town of Windham fell to 29 degrees Fahrenheit on the night of the crash. There was also at least 14 inches of snow at Windham Mountain, the Times Union said.
The plane went down in a heavily wooded area, located a few miles from the nearest road. Rescuers discovered the wreckage before midnight in a forest blanketed by roughly a foot of snow, Sheriff Peter Kusminsky said.
Tributes
In a Facebook post, a user identified as Christine Kim wrote, "A very sad day for my family. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Seuk Kim, who left us far too soon while living his dream and making the world a kinder place."
"Seuk was more than just a pilot; he was a champion for others, a friend to all, and a deeply loved member of his family. His bodacious spirit, generous heart, and endless capacity for love will be profoundly missed by his wife, three kids, parents, sibling, extended family, and countless friends," the post added.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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