Pilot James Morzillo, 80, Killed in Midair Glider Collision Over Upstate New York
Why It MattersThe incident places renewed scrutiny on collision-avoidance and separation practices among towed glider operations sharing regional airspace corridors.
Federal investigators are examining a fatal midair collision between two gliders over upstate New York that killed one pilot and left the other uninjured. The accident occurred Friday at approximately 3:15 p.m., and New York State Police identified the deceased pilot as James Morzillo, 80, of Saratoga Springs, New York.
According to preliminary information from the FAA, Morzillo's aircraft, registration N61XC, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2B glider, suffered a midair collision when its left wing struck the nose of N404CG, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider. The impact caused Morzillo to lose control of his aircraft, and wreckage was found several hours later in a wooded area near the community of Edinburg, New York. Morzillo was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other pilot was uninjured and landed safely at nearby Plateau Sky Ranch Airport.
Both gliders had been towed aloft from Saratoga County Airport and were en route to Piesco Airport, approximately 37 nautical miles to the northwest, when the collision occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
