Lake Placid plane crash kills two, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers. LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) —
Former NFL tackle Russ Francis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the New England Patriots who won the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 1984, died along with another aviation enthusiast in their small plane crash. crashed after takeoff from a New York state airport, officials said Monday.
Francis, 70, and Richard McSpadden, 63, left Lake Placid Airport shortly after 4 p.m. on Sunday in a single-engine Cessna 177 when the plane developed problems. New York State Police say the plane crashed into an embankment at the corner of the airport. Francis was president of Lake Placid Airways, which operated charter flights and scenic flights. A longtime aviation enthusiast, he was a pilot for nearly 50 years and operated charter flights in Hawaii,
according to the airline’s website. McSpadden was senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and was a well-known aviation safety expert. According to the organization, his career included serving as commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Francis was a first-round draft pick of the Patriots in 1975 and played in New England until 1980, when he was named to the franchise’s 1970s and 35th Anniversary All-Decade Teams. He was selected to the Professional Championship in three consecutive seasons from 1977-1979. “Russ was a fan favorite throughout his playing career,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. – He was dynamic on the court and a player with even more personality. He knew no boundaries, crossed boundaries and lived to the fullest.” Francis joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and was part of the team (1984) that defeated Miami in the Super Bowl. He returned to New England in 1987 and retired the following year. He totaled 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns. The accident is being investigated by the Road Safety Board.
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