A plane crash on property owned by Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins Thursday left one person dead, officials in New York said. The plane, a 1979 Beechcraft A36, was attempting to land at White Plains when it experienced mechanical issues and crashed in a wooded area between two properties, including Dawkins’ house. The pilot, who was the only person on board, died in the crash, but has not been identified.
Fire officials reported a “fully involved fire” upon arriving at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Dawkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, was excused from practice for personal reasons and was visibly shaken when he spoke about the crash. “I still wonder why things happen in life, but tragedies happen all of the time. The biggest point about it is that I hope the pilot’s family is OK. I hope that they’re doing all right because somebody lost their life today for an accident,” he said.
The Bills are preparing for a Sunday evening matchup against the New England Patriots, with Buffalo holding a 11-3 record and New England at 3-11.
