Pilot Found Deceased Following Lake Winnipesaukee Plane Crash

 


Gilford, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A grim outcome has emerged after a small aircraft plummeted into Lake Winnipesaukee on Saturday night. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, has been located deceased.


The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. near Ellacoya State Park when a single-engine Cessna 150 went down into the water. An extensive search effort was launched to locate the pilot.


The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reported that the man's body was recovered from nearly 60 feet of water shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Despite initial challenges, divers resumed their search on Sunday morning, ultimately leading to the discovery.


Pieces of the plane were salvaged on Saturday night, with the debris field identified in the Broad South area off of Welch Island. However, the pilot remained unaccounted for during the initial search.


The pilot's destination was Laconia Municipal airport, and he was the sole individual on board. The aircraft, a Cessna 150, is commonly used for personal and instructional flights. As of now, the pilot's identity has not been disclosed.


Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. Their focus will be to determine the factors that contributed to the crash and ascertain the underlying cause of the tragic event.