Former Patriots tight end Russ Francis died Sunday in a plane crash at Lake Placid Airport in New York. He was 70 years old.
According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Francis, who had a lifelong interest in flying, had recently purchased the Lake Placid Airways scenic tour business at the airport.
Richard McSpadden, the senior vice president of air safety for Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), also died in the crash, which happened around 4:09 p.m. at the end of a runway.
According to AOPA, the Cessna 177 Cardinal that the two were flying "experienced an emergency after takeoff." They attempted to return to the airport but crashed short of the runway.
Francis played eight seasons for the Patriots across two stints -- first from 1975-80 at the start of his career and then 13 more games in 1987 and 1988 at the end of his career.
Francis made three straight Pro Bowls from 1976-78. Howard Cosell once proclaimed him the "All-World Tight End" during a 139-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976.
Francis also played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl in 1984.
