Vermont State Police say a 66-year-old East Burke resident was involved in an airplane crash on Lake Seymour in Morgan on July 20, 2026, at approximately 8:08 a.m. The pilot, identified as James Gregory, reported the incident after being rescued by local residents who responded in their personal boats.
According to police, Gregory experienced a malfunction during takeoff, causing his 2002 Rans S6 Coyote II to stall and subsequently crash into the lake. He was the only person aboard the aircraft and sustained no injuries. The plane was reported as totaled and ultimately sank into the lake.
Emergency responders, including the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and Derby Line Fire Department, were dispatched to the scene. Boats were deployed to assist in the recovery efforts. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation has been notified of the incident, and the cause of the crash is under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will take over the investigation, and further inquiries should be directed to them.
Source: Vermont State Police
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