An experimental plane struck a tree and crashed in a Kerhonkson field late in the afternoon on Thursday. Its pilot and sole occupant, 50-year-old New Paltz resident Mark Thomas, was injured in the crash, but according to a New York State Police press release, "conscious and alert" when found:
n April 5th at 5:41 pm, Ulster County 911 reported a plane crash in a field off of Old Queens Highway in Kerhonkson, NY. Responding patrols from State Police - Ellenville located the plane resting on its nose with the pilot outside, conscious and alert. The plane was an experimental class, single engine, two seat bi-plane. The pilot, Mark Thomas, age 50 of New Paltz was transported by Kerhonkson –Accord Rescue to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie for observation. Initial investigation indicates the plane had taken off from an airstrip in Plattekill, NY. The plane was flying over a field and struck a tree for reasons unknown at this time. The FAA and NTSB have been notified and will be responding. The investigation is ongoing. State Police in Ellenville were assisted by the Kerhonkson Fire Department, Kerhonkson – Accord Rescue and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office.
The Daily Freeman, Times Herald-Record and Hudson Valley YNN report that Thomas's injuries were minor.
