An 81-Year-Old Massachusetts Pilot Has Died Following a State Forest Plane Crash

PLYMOUTH (WBSM) — An 81-year-old Kingston pilot was killed in a plane crash in Plymouth earlier today.

First Responders Rushed to Curlew Pond

According to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, Massachusetts State Police were notified of a small plane crash in the area of Curlew Pond within the Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth at about 7:40 a.m.

First responders arrived to find a fixed-wing aircraft with the pilot and sole occupant trapped inside. He was pulled from the plane by members of the Plymouth Fire Department and Plymouth EMS and transported to a local hospital with injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 8:56 a.m.

Pilot Identified as Kingston Resident

He has been identified as Richard Carrara, 81, of Kingston.

The emergency response included Massachusetts State Police troopers from the Middleboro, Bourne, and Norwell barracks, the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, Crime Scene Services, and the State Police Air Wing. Plymouth Police, the Plymouth Fire Department, and Plymouth EMS also responded.

The Federal Aviation Administration also responded to the scene.

Flight Path and Ongoing FAA Investigation

“Preliminarily, it appears that Carrara departed Plymouth Municipal Airport at 6:32 a.m. for Martha’s Vineyard, and was attempting to return to Plymouth when the crash occurred,” the D.A.’s Office said.

The crash remains under investigation.