Current:Home > StocksPlane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers
View Date:2024-12-24 00:21:45
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Former NFL tight end Russ Francis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the New England Patriots who won a Super Bowl with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers, was killed along with another aviation enthusiast when the single-engine plane the two men were in crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport in upstate New York, authorities said Monday.
Francis, 70, and Richard McSpadden, 63, had taken off from the Lake Placid Airport shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in a Cessna 177 plane when the plane had some kind of problem. The New York State Police said it crashed into an embankment at the corner of the airport.
Francis was president of Lake Placid Airways, which runs charter and scenic flights. A longtime flying enthusiast, the airline’s website said he had been a pilot for almost 50 years, and had run a charter service in Hawaii. McSpadden was a senior vice president at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which advocates around general aviation. The organization said his career included a stint as commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Francis was a Patriots first-round draft pick in 1975 and played in New England until 1980, making the franchise’s all-decade team for the 1970s and the 35th anniversary team. He was named to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons from 1977-79.
“Russ was a fan favorite throughout his playing career,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “He was a dynamic player on the field who had an even bigger personality off it. He knew no boundaries, pushed the limits and lived his life to the fullest.”
Francis joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and was part of the 1984 team that beat Miam in the Super Bowl. He returned to New England in 1987 and retired the year after. In all, he had 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
veryGood! (763)
Related
- Kentucky gets early signature win at Champions Classic against Duke | Opinion
- Megan Fox Offers Support to Sophie Lloyd Following Machine Gun Kelly Cheating Rumors
- Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Presidents' Day Deals: Save Up to 50% On These 25 Top-Selling Styles
- Foo Fighters Honor Taylor Hawkins on the Late Drummer's Birthday
- Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
- See Mark Consuelos Join Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest on Live After Co-Host Announcement
- A love letter to movie trailers and the joy of shared anticipation
- David Axelrod on President Poundstone and the political importance of turkey legs
- Jennifer Lopez Turns Wicked Premiere Into Family Outing With 16-Year-Old Emme
- 'Love at Six Thousand Degrees' is a refreshing inversion of the trauma narrative
Ranking
- Martin Scorsese on faith in filmmaking, ‘The Saints’ and what his next movie might be
- Summer House Star Mya Allen Wore This Surprisingly Affordable Bodysuit With 1,300+ 5-Star Reviews
- Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker Get Cozy on Snowy Valentine's Day Trip
- 'The Last Animal' is a bright-eyed meditation on what animates us
- Deion Sanders says he would prevent Shedeur Sanders from going to wrong team in NFL draft
- 'The House Is on Fire' spotlights privilege, sexism, and racism in the 1800s
- Bill Butler, 'Jaws' cinematographer, dies at 101
- 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' has high charisma
Recommendation
-
Will Aaron Rodgers retire? Jets QB tells reporters he plans to play in 2025
-
The Best Presidents' Day Fashion Sales to Shop From Kate Spade, Coach, Free People & More
-
Family Karma's Amrit Kapai Share's Update on Starting a Family After Baby Journey Hurdles
-
Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Presidents' Day Deals: Save Up to 50% On These 25 Top-Selling Styles
-
Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
-
Settle in for the spy-show pleasures of 'The Night Agent'
-
Michelle Yeoh called out sexism in Hollywood. Will it help close the gender gap?
-
Austin Butler Responds to Zoey 101 Sequel Movie Casting Rumors