The crash of a small plane in the snowy forests of the Catskill Mountains killed a pilot and a rescue dog he was taking to an animal shelter, though two other dogs were later found alive, authorities said.
Seuk Kim, 49, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed Sunday evening in a remote area of Windham, about 35 miles southwest of Albany, authorities said.
Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminski said the preliminary investigation indicated the pilot died on impact. The sheriff said there were three dogs on board the flight and that it was connected to a nonprofit group that transports rescue animals with the help of volunteer pilots.
Two dogs survived the accident: a Labrador-mix puppy who suffered broken bones, and another dog who suffered only minor injuries.
“It was very scared and it was buried in the snow,” Kusminski said of the puppy with broken bones.
That dog, named Whiskey, was taken to an animal hospital in Middleton, Connecticut, according to the nonprofit Kim was running, delivering dogs to the Schoharie County Animal Shelter. The second dog found safe was an 18-month-old Yorkie terrier mix named Pluto.
Posted by the Sheriff's Office photos Of the remaining dogs on social media.
Kim, who lives in Springfield, Virginia, was paid tribute in an online memorial on Monday, with fellow dog rescuers thanking him for flying across the country and coordinating pilots.
“Over the years, Seuk helped save the lives of hundreds of animals who otherwise would have been euthanized due to overcrowding at animal shelters,” Schoharie County Animal Shelter Director Maggie Pryor said in a statement.
Animal shelter “Forever Changed Animal Rescue” said on social media that Kim was part of its “Pilots N Paws” program.
“The sky will never be the same without you. We are so grateful to have met you and flown countless hours to help give new life to animals, including our most memorable one; Connie the container dog. ” the group said social media post,
Kony was found trapped inside a shipping container at the Bayport Container Terminal in Port Houston earlier this year, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reportedKim flew to Houston to bring Connie to Virginia where she had the puppies.
Kathy West, who operates Cuddles & Kisses K9 Rescue in Baltimore, Maryland, said she last saw Kim at a nearby airport in October, when she handed her a dog that had been flown in just a few days earlier. Was on the list for euthanasia at the place. Shelter in Tennessee.
“He was bringing me a mother dog and five puppies,” West said. “He was so busy trying to get the word out to volunteers, to other pilots. It's a good thing to do to save these dogs so they don't die in shelters.”
A statement from Kim's family said he was originally from South Korea and “came to this country with nothing but a dream, and through hard work and perseverance, he built a life of meaning and generosity.”
“He was a kind, selfless man who always reached out to help others, regardless of the circumstances,” the statement said. It says, “His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, both human and animal.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were investigating the accident.
Kusminski said visibility was low on Sunday and that Kim had asked for permission to change his altitude due to turbulence before the crash.
The plane crashed in the woods a few miles from the nearest road. According to the sheriff, rescue workers found the wreckage in the woods covered with about a foot of snow just before midnight.