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Two bodies have been recovered. Coast Guard rescue crews, local agencies, fishing vessels, and shore units continue to search the area for the two missing passengers.
The four are Bernard Krupinski, 70, a prominent East End builder, and his wife, Bonnie Krupinski, 70; as well as their grandson, William Maerov, 22 — all of East Hampton — and the pilot, Jon Dollard, 47, of Hampton Bays, East Hampton Police said. Three of the victims are shown in the photo above with entrepreneur businesswoman Martha Stewart, who maintains an estate in East Hampton as well as in Westchester, in Katonah.
The aircraft went down one mile off the shore of Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett just before 4 p.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
The plane has been confirmed to be a Piper PA31 Navajo aircraft, according to the Coast Guard.
“We are stricken by this loss,” said Capt. Kevin B. Reed, Coast Guard commander Sector Long Island Sound. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the two recovered individuals.”
Assets involved in the search include:
- Air National Guard MH-60 aircrew
- Coast Guard Cutter Bonito
- Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead
- An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod
- Coast Guard Station Montauk
- Coast Guard Station Shinnecock
- East Hampton Police Department
- East Hampton Life Guards
- Suffolk County Police & Aviation Department
- Local commercial fishing vessels
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center at 203-468-4401 or on the radio at VHF-FM marine radio channel-16.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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