Cops: Orient Man Died in Shirley Plane Crash

Suffolk County Police said on Monday that an Orient man was one of two people who died when a plane crashed and burned in Shirley late Sunday morning.

Police identified David McElroy, 53, shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday after previously identifying a woman from upstate New York, 60-year-old Goshen resident Jane Unhjem, as the crash's other victim. 

Her husband, Erik, is listed in serious condition at Stony Brook University  Medical Center.

Newsday reported that the plane is registered under McElroy's name, in the state of Florida. He was reportedly one of two individuals in the cockpit of the plane - Erik Unhjem was the other, Newsday reported - however officials are still investigating who was piloting the plane.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the site of the accident on Monday, according to Newsday. It was taking off from nearby Calabro Airport when it crashed on Helene Avenue.

According to Newsday, NTSB investigator Brian Rayner said at a Monday morning press conference, "In general, we look at the man, the machine and the environment ... We’re out here with a big net, picking up as much data as we can.”

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