Homeowner reflects after plane crashes into his driveway

MILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It’s been one week since a small plane crashed into a driveway in Milton — just feet away from a family’s home. NEWS10’s Amber Fisher followed up with the homeowner, John Clapper, about the aftermath and how he’s moving forward.

Clapper said that after the crash, the plane leaked gas into the ground. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation then stepped in to handle the cleanup.

“The plane hit the tree here; this is the oak tree. And if it fell straight down and so there was some gas leakage from the plane into the dirt. So ENCON came along and they’re hired by a company and they’re digging out. And any contaminated soil, it’ll be replacing that.” said Clapper.

The day after the Halloween morning crash, crews worked to remove what was left of the downed plane from john clapper’s driveway.

The plane was cut apart for removal, leaving white marks across Clapper’s driveway. He said that insurance will cover the necessary repairs — easing at least one burden in the wake of this tragedy.

He was home with his daughter and dogs when the plane came down — just feet from their house. He said that he is incredibly grateful that he and his family are okay, saying, “We thank God it didn’t hit the house because with all that flame that the house would have went up quickly and we might not have been able to get out. So, we’re very fortunate and God has blessed me.”