Plane Crash at Bangor International Airport Kills Pilot
BANGOR, ME—A plane crash at Bangor International Airport on August 24 resulted in the death of 74-year-old pilot Luigi Accusani, according to federal officials.
Accusani was piloting a single-engine Cessna A185F when the aircraft bounced on the runway, struck a light, and crashed into a fence before tumbling on the ground. It is noted as the first fatal incident at the airport since its opening over 50 years ago.
The preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board indicated that the cause of the crash remains undetermined. A Federal Aviation Administration witness observed the plane’s left wing coming close to the pavement during the landing attempt. Accusani had requested a wind check shortly before, reporting winds at 14 knots with gusts up to 19 knots.
The crash occurred shortly after 1:21 p.m., less than ten minutes after the Bangor air traffic control tower cleared Accusani for landing. He reported his intention to take off just before the accident. An aviation expert suggested that Accusani might have been attempting a “go-around” maneuver.
The aircraft, registered to Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. in the UK, had recently traveled from Canada, with previous flights in Europe. Accusani held several flight certifications, including a foreign-based pilot certificate from the FAA.
The NTSB continues to investigate the incident, with a full report expected in the future.