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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident where a plane landed upside down in Albany County. The aircraft, a 1941 Piper J3 Cub, departed from Duanesburg Airport on Wednesday (July 16) around 6:30 p.m. and was piloted by 59-year-old Clifford A. Souza, a retired Air National Guard colonel.
Souza attempted to assess a potential landing site by flying low over a field near Berne-Altamont Road. However, the plane's wheels touched tall grass, causing a loss of airspeed and performance, which led to an emergency landing. The plane flipped over, but Souza, the sole occupant, was uninjured.
After the incident, Souza contacted a nearby property caretaker and determined it was not an emergency, leaving the scene with a friend. He returned the next morning to remove the plane. A resident noticed the plane and called 911, prompting New York State Police and other agencies to respond.
The FAA described the event as "a hard landing and a prop strike" and has taken over the investigation. There is no indication of criminal activity, and alcohol is not believed to be a factor. Souza, who is rated as an airline transport pilot, had passed his FAA-mandated medical examination earlier this month.