A New Jersey family spanning three generations — including a 2-year-old girl — died in a small plane crash in upstate New York, officials and local reports said.
New York State Police identified the victims as Dr. Gabriele Jasper, 70, his daughter, Gabriella Hillgrube, 33, and his young granddaughter, Guiliana Hillgrube, who were aboard a twin-engine aircraft that went down in a wooded area near Saranac Lake on Monday night.
Authorities said Jasper was flying a 1976 Piper Aerostar 601P after taking off from Adirondack Regional Airport shortly after 10:30 p.m. The aircraft had climbed only about 100 feet when it lost communication with the ground and crashed.
Emergency search teams later found the wreckage in the woods, where the plane had been consumed by a fiery impact.
Jasper, a Toms River resident, was a well-known spine specialist and anesthesiologist who founded the Jasper Spine Institute, a medical practice with two “state-of-the-art” locations in Brick and Milltown, according to the institute’s website.
Outside his medical career, the grandfather shared glimpses of his life on Facebook, often posting about trips to the Adirondacks, his passion for Formula 1 racing and days spent fishing.
Gabriella Hillgrube, who lived in Forked River, also worked alongside her father at the Jasper Spine Institute, Patch reported.
On social media, she frequently shared affectionate family photos, including smiling snapshots with her daughter, Guiliana, and her husband, Tyler.
“Dr. Jasper was a very good friend of mine and also one of the top endoscopic surgeons in the world for spinal stenosis and disc degeneration,” friend and former co-worker Chris Alderucci wrote in a Facebook post.
“He lived his life in a fast lane as he loved to race cars, ride his motorcycles and boats. He loved his airplane and helicopter. But most of all he loved his life and his family and friends. He was one of the most genuine surgeons that cared about his patients and the staff that worked with him,” Alderucci wrote.
“There will be many surgeons and patients from around the world that will be sad to hear this news. Love you paisan and will miss you immensely.”
The tragic crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
