David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell Killed in Plane Crash Near Ithaca, NY – Enfield Obituary

David Kornreich, 52, and Andrew R. Harrell, 31, have died following a small-plane crash in the Town of Enfield, New York, west of Ithaca. The fatal accident occurred Sunday afternoon, August 30, 2026, after the aircraft departed from Ithaca Tompkins International Airport.

The crash claimed the lives of both people aboard the aircraft, leaving friends, relatives and members of the local aviation community mourning two lives lost in a sudden tragedy.

According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Kornreich was the owner and registered pilot of the aircraft. He was pronounced dead at the crash site. Harrell, who was traveling as the passenger, was initially found critically injured and transported to Cayuga Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

What Happened in the Enfield Plane Crash?

Authorities were called to the 100 block of North Applegate Road in Enfield around 12:35 p.m. Sunday after a witness reported that a small aircraft had crashed.

The plane had departed Ithaca Tompkins International Airport at approximately 11:24 a.m.

According to investigators, the last communication between the aircraft and the airport tower occurred shortly after noon.

A witness who contacted authorities reported that the aircraft appeared to be experiencing a mechanical problem before it went down.

The aircraft was identified as a 1977 Lake LA-4-200, a small amphibious aircraft.

David Kornreich Died at the Crash Scene

David Kornreich, 52, was identified as the aircraft’s owner and registered pilot.

Emergency responders found Kornreich at the crash site, where he was pronounced dead.

Kornreich had strong connections to the Ithaca-area aviation community. Earlier in 2026, FAA Safety Team records listed him as a speaker for aviation-safety seminars in the Ithaca area, including programs concerning emergency landings and seaplane safety.

His professional involvement in aviation made him a familiar figure among pilots and others connected with general aviation in the region.

Andrew Harrell Dies After Plane Crash

Andrew R. Harrell, 31, was the second person aboard the aircraft.

Unlike Kornreich, Harrell initially survived the crash and was transported to Cayuga Medical Center in critical condition.

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that Harrell had died from his injuries.

His death means that both occupants of the aircraft were ultimately killed in the Enfield crash.

Cause of the Plane Crash Under Investigation

The exact cause of the crash has not been determined.

Authorities said a witness reported seeing indications that the aircraft may have been experiencing a mechanical problem before it went down.

That observation is part of the preliminary information surrounding the crash and should not be treated as the final determination of what caused the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Investigators will examine the aircraft, flight history, weather conditions, maintenance records, witness accounts and other evidence as they work to determine what happened.

No Other People Were Reported Injured

Authorities said no other people or structures were involved in the crash.

The aircraft came down in the Enfield area near North Applegate Road.

Emergency personnel from multiple agencies responded, including New York State Police, New York State Park Police, Enfield Fire and Rescue, Tompkins County emergency responders, Ithaca Fire Department, Airport Fire Department and Trumansburg Fire Department.

Remembering David Kornreich

Kornreich’s connection to aviation extended beyond simply owning and operating an aircraft.

FAA Safety Team records show that he participated in aviation-safety education in the Ithaca region during 2026.

One FAA-listed seminar featured Kornreich discussing survival following an emergency landing, while another identified him as a speaker for an Upstate New York seaplane-safety event.

He was also listed among the 2026 District Honorees of the General Aviation Awards as a certificated flight instructor.

Those records illustrate the role he played within the aviation community and the experience he brought to flying.

Remembering Andrew Harrell

Information about Andrew Harrell’s personal life and background remains limited in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

Authorities identified him as a 31-year-old passenger aboard the aircraft.

As family and friends process his death, further information about his life, career and relationships may become available through an obituary or family announcement.

His death, coming after he initially survived the crash, adds another painful dimension to the tragedy.

A Tragedy for the Ithaca-Area Aviation Community

The crash has deeply affected the local aviation community.

Kornreich had established connections with pilots and aviation organizations in the Ithaca region through his work in flight instruction and safety education.

The sudden death of both men has therefore resonated beyond the immediate crash site.

The tragedy also highlights the risks faced by pilots and passengers even during routine general-aviation flights.

David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell Death Details

Funeral and Memorial Arrangements

Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements for David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell have not been publicly announced in the information currently available.

Those details may be released separately by the families or through funeral homes serving the Ithaca and surrounding communities.

Until formal announcements are made, unverified information concerning funeral services or burial locations should not be presented as fact.

Investigation Continues

The fatal Enfield plane crash remains under investigation.

Authorities will need to establish why the aircraft lost contact with the tower and ultimately crashed after departing Ithaca.

The reported mechanical problem is an important early detail, but investigators will determine whether a mechanical failure actually contributed to the accident and, if so, what role it played.

The final findings may take considerable time.

Conclusion

David Kornreich, 52, and Andrew R. Harrell, 31, died after a small plane crashed in Enfield, New York, near Ithaca, on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Kornreich, the aircraft’s owner and registered pilot, died at the scene. Harrell was critically injured and transported to Cayuga Medical Center before later dying from his injuries.

The aircraft had departed Ithaca Tompkins International Airport at 11:24 a.m., and authorities said a witness reported that it appeared to have a mechanical problem before crashing.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating the circumstances of the accident, and the definitive cause has not yet been established.

For the families, friends and aviation community connected to the two men, the crash represents a sudden and devastating loss. As investigators work to determine what happened, David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell are being remembered as the two lives lost in the Enfield plane crash.

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available as of August 31, 2026. The plane crash and deaths of David Kornreich and Andrew Harrell have been confirmed by local authorities and multiple news reports, while the precise cause of the crash remains under investigation. Funeral and memorial arrangements should be confirmed through the families or authorized funeral homes when officially announced. This article may be updated as additional verified information becomes available.