GREAT VALLEY, N.Y. (WBEN) – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who died in a plane crash near Great Valley Airport on Wednesday.
William H. Mandelare, 80, of Brockport, died in a plane crash on Wednesday afternoon. Police said he was one of the passengers of the plane.
Another man, Raymond E. Groetsch, 72, was flown to ECMC and is currently in critical condition.
Police said a problem occurred during takeoff and the plane crashed into a field just off the runway. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
NTSB, FAA, Ellicottville Police, New York State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, Great Valley and Ellicottville Fire, Killbuck Fire, and Salamanca Fire are all assisting in the investigation.






