Small Plane Crashes Near Rte 186, Killing 3 in Harrietstown, NY

Harrietstown, NY (July 15, 2026) – Three people lost their lives on Monday night, July 13, when a twin-engine plane went down in a wooded stretch northwest of Saranac Lake, shortly after leaving the Adirondack Regional Airport.

The pilot, Gabriel P. Jasper, 70, of Toms River, New Jersey, was flying the aircraft when it went down. His passengers, Gabriella M. Hillgrube, 33, and her 2-year-old daughter, Guiliana M. Hillgrube, both of Forked River, New Jersey, were also aboard. All three were pronounced dead at the site.

New York State police said the plane took off around 10:30 p.m. and lost radio contact soon after. It came down near Hearf's Way and Route 186, about two miles from the airport, on a wooded stretch of the Adirondack Rail Trail.

Search crews recovered the wreckage, which had been badly burned in a post-flight fire. A section of the trail between McMaster Road and Route 186 stayed closed to walkers and bikers through Tuesday afternoon.

Federal investigators have not yet said what caused the plane to go down, and the investigation remains active. 

Our condolences are with the loved ones of Jasper and the Hillgrubes during this difficult time.

What Legal Options Exist After a Fatal Plane Crash in Harrietstown, NY

Small plane accidents frequently raise legal questions that go beyond typical car accident claims, since general aviation cases can involve pilot error, mechanical failure, or maintenance issues.

Under New York's wrongful death statute, a court-appointed representative of the estate generally has two years from the date of death to file a claim, and recoverable damages are limited to pecuniary losses such as lost income and funeral expenses. 

Families in this situation may have access to two distinct legal remedies under New York law: a wrongful death claim and a survival action. A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own financial losses, such as lost income and funeral costs, resulting from the death. 

A survival action, by contrast, belongs to the deceased's estate and covers losses the deceased experienced between the crash and the time of death, such as pain and suffering in those final moments, if applicable. Both actions are typically brought by the same estate representative and can proceed together, though they compensate for different types of losses. 

Because aviation cases tend to involve multiple parties, including the aircraft owner, maintenance providers, or equipment manufacturers, a wrongful death lawyer can help identify which party or parties may bear responsibility before the two-year window closes.

If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a fatal aviation accident in New York, we are available to help. At Metro Law, we can speak with those families who want information about New York wrongful death claims and how to proceed in the legal journey. 

For clear answers about your options, you can reach Metro Law at (800) 469-6476. Our team can walk you through what a claims process may involve based on your situation.