Pilot dies after single-engine plane crashes in Niagara County

NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — A pilot was killed in a plane crash Saturday afternoon, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Michael Filicetti said a single-engine plane owned by Skydive the Falls crashed just before noon on the Niagara Scenic Parkway, northeast of Fort Niagara State Park.

An investigation revealed that the plane had just dropped off the divers and was heading to land when it crashed. The pilot, Melanie Georger, 26, was killed.

Georger’s father told 7 News she was born and raised in the town of Tonawanda. She attended Kenmore East and later earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University at Buffalo.

The sheriff’s office said the crash sparked a brush fire. Part of the parkway toward Fort Niagara will remain closed Saturday.

7 News has reached out to Skydive the Falls for comment.