WINDHAM, NY. (THECOUNT) — Seuk Kim, a 49-year-old pilot from Springfield, Virginia, and a rescue dog he was transporting were killed in a tragic plane crash Sunday evening in the snowy woods of Windham, New York. Kim, who was flying from Maryland to Albany, was part of a not-for-profit effort “Pilots N Paws” transporting rescue animals to safer locations. The crash also involved two other dogs, both of whom miraculously survived, authorities confirmed.
According to Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, Kim died upon impact when the small plane went down approximately 35 miles southwest of Albany. The aircraft was carrying three rescue dogs for the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County, a nonprofit that works with volunteer pilots to save animals at risk of euthanasia.
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Two surviving dogs were found in the wreckage. One, a Labrador-mix puppy named Whiskey, suffered broken bones and was transported to a veterinary hospital in Middleton, Connecticut. The other, an 18-month-old Yorkie terrier mix named Pluto, sustained only minor injuries. “It was pretty scared and dug down into the snow,” Kusminsky said of Whiskey.
Tributes Pour In for a Lifelong Animal Rescuer
Kim was remembered as a passionate animal advocate and volunteer pilot who dedicated countless hours to saving animals in need. Tributes from across the animal rescue community flooded an online memorial.
“Over the years, Seuk helped save the lives of hundreds of animals who would have otherwise been euthanized due to overcrowding at animal shelters,” said Maggie Pryor, director of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County.
Kim was also a valued member of the “Pilots N Paws” program, a nonprofit that connects volunteer pilots with rescue organizations. “The sky will never be the same without you,” wrote Forever Changed Animal Rescue in a heartfelt social media post. They recalled Kim’s role in rescuing Connie, a dog found trapped in a shipping container at Port Houston earlier this year. Kim had flown Connie to Virginia, where she later gave birth to puppies.
Cathay West, who runs Kuddles & Kisses K9 Rescue in Baltimore, Maryland, shared her last memory of Kim. “He was bringing me a momma dog and five puppies,” she said. “He worked tirelessly to encourage other pilots to join the mission of saving dogs from euthanasia.”
Kim’s family released a statement honoring his life, saying he was originally from South Korea and had come to the United States with a dream. “Through hard work and perseverance, he built a life of meaning and generosity. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, both human and animal,” the statement read.
Investigating the Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash. Sheriff Kusminsky noted that weather conditions on Sunday evening were challenging, with poor visibility and significant turbulence. Kim had reportedly sought permission to change altitude prior to the crash.
The wreckage was found a couple of miles from the nearest road in a remote wooded area blanketed by about a foot of snow. Rescuers located the downed plane before midnight, hours after it had disappeared from radar.
A Legacy of Compassion
Kim’s passing leaves a void in the animal rescue community. His work saved countless animals from being euthanized, offering them a chance at a new life. Though the crash was a devastating loss, his contributions to animal welfare will not be forgotten.
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