Accidents
Air Safety Institute's McSpadden, a 'True Giant,' Dies in Aircraft Crash
The aircraft was on an emergency return to Lake Placid Airport
Richard McSpadden
Richard McSpadden (Photo: AOPA)

Aviation leaders are mourning the loss of senior Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association executive Richard McSpadden, who died yesterday in an aircraft accident outside Lake Placid, New York. McSpadden, who had served as senior v-p of the AOPA Air Safety Institute and was revered by many for his safety advocacy, was 63.

AOPA released a statement saying it was deeply saddened to report that McSpadden and one other person had passed away on Sunday afternoon after the Cardinal 177 they were flying in crashed as it was returning to Lake Placid Airport.

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