The Search Continues For Fourth Crash Victim

East Hampton Town police announced Friday, June 8, that they had recovered the third of four bodies from the wreckage of the Piper PA31 Navajo that crashed off of Amagansett during a brief but powerful squall the afternoon of June 2. All four occupants of the plane were presumed to have died in the crash.

Thus far, the bodies of Bernard “Ben” Krupinski, 70, and his wife, Bonnie Krupinski, 70, both of East Hampton, have been recovered and identified by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Their funeral was held Friday.

The two remaining victims of the crash were the Krupinski’s grandson, William Maerov, 22, of East Hampton, and the pilot of the plane, Jon Dollard, 47, of Hampton Bays.

While a third body was recovered last week, police had not, as of June 11, released the name of that victim, as they await the determination of the medical examiner’s office.

Police were still searching for the fourth body as of Monday.

According to a release sent out by East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo Friday, the crash occurred “approximately one mile off Atlantic Avenue Beach.”

He said, “The plane lies in approximately 40 to 45 feet of water.” As of Friday, he said visibility at that depth was approximately three to five feet.

East Hampton Town police divers, along with Sea Tow, a private salvage and towing company, have apparently recovered some of the wreckage, but still haven’t located the fourth body.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

tom.e@indyeastend.com