A volunteer pilot flying three rescue dogs to a care facility in upstate New York died along with one of the dogs after his plane crashed in the state’s Catskill Mountains, according to officials.
Seuk Kim, 49, of Springfield, Virginia, was flying a Mooney M20J with three dogs on board from Maryland to Albany when the plane crashed in a remote location in the Town of Windham around 6:10 p.m. Sunday, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook Monday.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement “the wreckage of a single-engine Mooney M20” was discovered in Catskill State Park in New York Monday.
Kim and one of the dogs he was transporting were found deceased on the scene, while another dog, a lab mix puppy, was found alive with two broken legs. The third dog was recovered later with minor injuries “while investigators were working at the scene.” The two dogs were transported by local animal rescue organizations for veterinary care, the sheriff’s office said.
FAA said the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, adding the “NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.” NTSB did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for an update on the investigation.
An autopsy will be conducted on Kim’s body, the sheriff’s office said.
Pilot died ‘doing what he loved’
An avid pilot, Kim was known for flying dogs in need of shelter and care to accepting facilities. His wife, Anna Kang, in a post on Facebook, said her husband “gained his angel wings doing what he loved.”
“I am heart broken,” Kang wrote in the post. “My husband Seuk Kim gained his angel wings doing what he loved. He was flying rescue dogs to Albany when the accident occurred.”
Describing him as her “life long partner,” “soul mate,” and “father of my children,” Kang said she misses him and “his bright personality,” and requested prayers for him and their family.
“We will miss him dearly and he will forever hold a special place in our hearts,” Kang said.
Animal rescue organizations mourn death
SFC (Squishy Face Crew) Virginia, an animal rescue group based in Fredericksburg, extended their “heartfelt sympathy” to Seuk’s friends and family and hoped that Seuk is “greeted by thousands of wagging tails at the rainbow bridge.”
Seuk had picked up dogs from their organization before he “embarked on his last rescue mission,” SFC said.
“We saw him just yesterday afternoon at a local airport while picking up our own dogs, moments before he embarked on his last rescue mission,” SFC said in their statement Monday. “As always, Seuk was upbeat, smiling, and happy – we never once saw him in a bad mood!”
“The rescue community has lost an amazing one,” it added.
Another rescue organization based in Forest Hill, Maryland, Fairy Tails Rescue, said Kim had helped transport an animal to their facility before heading to another rescue in New York with the three dogs.
“Seuk was an angel on earth; this is a tremendous loss, as he was always happy to help animals in need,” Fairy Tails Rescue said in their Facebook post Monday. “Seuk was a staple to the world of animal welfare and to our rescue. Seuk donated his time, plane, and fuel and has transported countless dogs and cats so that they could come into Fairy Tails Rescue to have a second lease on life.”
Flights for life:How volunteers rescue hundreds of dogs from high-kill shelters
‘More than just a pilot’
Kim is survived by his wife, three kids, parents, sibling, extended family, and countless friends, according to his obituary.
“Seuk was more than just a pilot; he was a champion for others, a friend to all, and a deeply loved member of his family,” his obituary says. “As we grieve, we take solace in knowing that Seuk lived fully, loved deeply, and left a legacy of kindness and courage.”
The family has requested for donations in lieu of flowers to support his surviving family during this difficult time.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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