Ohio family survives small plane crash in NY pond

[June 09, 2011]  GHENT, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities say four members of an Ohio family survived a small plane crash in upstate New York.

Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison says the single-engine plane was trying to land on an airstrip at Kline Kill Airport in Ghent just before 6 p.m. Wednesday when it clipped a tree and crashed into a pond. The occupants, from Ripley, Ohio, were able to get out of the plane before it sank.

Harrison says the pilot, 39-year-old Seth Meranda, and his 42-year-old wife sustained minor injuries. They were taken to a hospital along with their children, a 9-year-old who was admitted for observation and 12-year-old who was not injured.

The plane was flying to Ohio when it was diverted to Kline Kill due to weather conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.