A community in Virginia is mourning the tragic death of a gay couple who died in a plane crash while returning home from Long Island, New York, to King George, southeast of Washington, D.C.
Christopher Kucera, 46, and Zachary Hatcher, 43, were well-known for their charisma, generosity, and community involvement. They died Monday evening when their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed shortly after takeoff from Long Island MacArthur Airport.
“Chris died doing what he loved most and with the man he loved most. We are grateful for that,” said Mike Kucera, Chris’s brother, and brother-in-law. He praised Chris for avoiding casualties on the ground after the plane lost power soon after takeoff.
The plane, piloted by Kucera, tried to return to the runway around 6:15 p.m. EDT but failed to land safely. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Hatcher was about to start as CEO of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, a nonprofit managing charitable giving in the area, on August 5. He had a distinguished career, including senior roles at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the University of Mary Washington, and Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services.
“The Community Foundation mourns the loss of our incoming CEO, Zach Hatcher, and his partner, Chris Kucera,” said Quincy Crecelius Click, the foundation’s communications director. “Zach was poised to lead next month, bringing his proven abilities and dedication to our mission. This is a shock to us and many within our community.”
The couple, known for their love of home renovations, had recently restored a historic farmhouse in King George County and planned to work on a home in nearby Fredericksburg. Their social gatherings were known for their spontaneous yet perfectly executed nature.
Kucera, an accomplished air and space engineer, was an experienced pilot who had a passion for flying from a young age, earning his pilot’s license before turning 17.