Man Who Died In Cattaraugus County Plane Crash Identified

GREAT VALLEY – The man who died during a plane crash in Cattaraugus County on Wednesday has been identified.

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office says 80-year-old William Mandelare, of Brockport, died after the small plane crashed into a field just off of the runway of the Great Valley Airport.

The crash, which happened around 2:10 in the afternoon, hospitalized 72-year-old Raymond Groetsch, of Brockport, who was flown via Mercy Flight to ECMC.

The man, deputies say, is currently in critical condition.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office with the help of the NTSB and FAA, however, preliminary findings appear to show a problem occurred during takeoff.

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Ellicottville Police Department, New York State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, Great Valley/Ellicottville, Killbuck, and Salamanca Fire Departments.