Pilot and animal rescue dog die in plane crash in New York mountains; 2 dogs survived

CNN
—

A volunteer pilot known for helping transport rescued animals to shelters died Sunday in a plane crash in New York while transporting three dogs to a no-kill shelter.

Seuk Kim, 49, and three dogs were flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed in Windham, a small town in the Catskill Mountains, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said.

One of the dogs also died in the disaster, but two survived.

Kim was on his way to deliver the dogs to the Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter (ASSV), a no-kill shelter in Howes Cave, New York. He was part of a network of volunteer “Freedom Flight” pilots who transported animals rescued from high-volume shelter euthanasia lists to other action sites.

“Over the years, Seuk has helped save the lives of hundreds of animals that otherwise would have been euthanized due to overcrowding in animal shelters,” ASSV Executive Director Maggie Pryor said in a statement to CNN.

The nonprofit Forever Changed Animal Rescue said Kim had flown “countless hours” to help relocate abandoned animals, including famous container dog Connie, the dog that was saved from a shipping container in Texas after more than eight days trapped without food or water.

According to ASSV, both surviving dogs were transported and received appropriate veterinary care.

Labrador mix puppy Whiskey broke two legs while Yorkie–terrier mix Pluto suffered minor injuries.

ASSV will oversee the recovery of both dogs before they are put up for adoption.

Kim’s family knew him as a generous, free-spirited man who was always willing to help others – including most recently those hit hard by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

“Seuk was an extraordinary hero who left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him,” Christine Kim, Kim’s cousin, told CNN. “Seuk was charitable, kind and smart. He was the rock of our family and this is a huge loss for us.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The cause has not been determined.