Wolfgang G. Buergel of East Aurora, a legend in the Western New York aviation community, died Friday when his single-engine plane crashed in a rural area near Columbia, S. C., as he was making his annual flight to Sun N' Fun, an aviation convention in Lakeland, Fla.
Authorities said Buergel, 71, the only person on board, crashed about 2:50 p. m. Friday at the edge of a field in Elgin, Kershaw County, not far from a small private airport.
Witnesses reported that they saw the plane circling a field near Interstate 20 with its engine sputtering before it plunged into trees, exploded and burned.
Buergel was a pilot, airplane mechanic, flight instructor and proprietor of a grass airstrip called Bloecher Farm Airport that he built on a hilltop east of East Aurora in 1974. He taught hundreds of Western New Yorkers including his children, Christopher and Tina, how to fly using stick and rudder.
Known for his quick wit and unconventional personality, he would often preface his remarks by saying, "I'm just a country pilot," but it understated his considerable skills as a flyer and a mechanic.
Born in Germany, he built model airplanes as a boy and moved with his family in 1954 to Long Island, where his father worked at Grumman, building airplanes. After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he became a helicopter mechanic and earned his pilot's license at the base flying club.
He later earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Fredonia State College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University at Buffalo. Unhappy working in the chemical industry, he decided to follow his first love — flying. He started an aircraft repair station — East Aurora Aviation — and later worked for USAirways as a mechanic.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Sandy, and his son and daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p. m. Thursday in St. John's United Church of Christ, 608 Centerline Road, Strykersville.
Authorities said Buergel, 71, the only person on board, crashed about 2:50 p. m. Friday at the edge of a field in Elgin, Kershaw County, not far from a small private airport.
Witnesses reported that they saw the plane circling a field near Interstate 20 with its engine sputtering before it plunged into trees, exploded and burned.
Buergel was a pilot, airplane mechanic, flight instructor and proprietor of a grass airstrip called Bloecher Farm Airport that he built on a hilltop east of East Aurora in 1974. He taught hundreds of Western New Yorkers including his children, Christopher and Tina, how to fly using stick and rudder.
Known for his quick wit and unconventional personality, he would often preface his remarks by saying, "I'm just a country pilot," but it understated his considerable skills as a flyer and a mechanic.
Born in Germany, he built model airplanes as a boy and moved with his family in 1954 to Long Island, where his father worked at Grumman, building airplanes. After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he became a helicopter mechanic and earned his pilot's license at the base flying club.
He later earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Fredonia State College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University at Buffalo. Unhappy working in the chemical industry, he decided to follow his first love — flying. He started an aircraft repair station — East Aurora Aviation — and later worked for USAirways as a mechanic.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Sandy, and his son and daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p. m. Thursday in St. John's United Church of Christ, 608 Centerline Road, Strykersville.
Wolfgang G. Buergel of East Aurora, a legend in the Western New York aviation community, died Friday when his single-engine plane crashed in a rural area near Columbia, S. C., as he was making his annual flight to Sun N' Fun, an aviation convention in Lakeland, Fla.
Authorities said Buergel, 71, the only person on board, crashed about 2:50 p. m. Friday at the edge of a field in Elgin, Kershaw County, not far from a small private airport.
Witnesses reported that they saw the plane circling a field near Interstate 20 with its engine sputtering before it plunged into trees, exploded and burned.
Buergel was a pilot, airplane mechanic, flight instructor and proprietor of a grass airstrip called Bloecher Farm Airport that he built on a hilltop east of East Aurora in 1974. He taught hundreds of Western New Yorkers including his children, Christopher and Tina, how to fly using stick and rudder.
Known for his quick wit and unconventional personality, he would often preface his remarks by saying, "I'm just a country pilot," but it understated his considerable skills as a flyer and a mechanic.
Born in Germany, he built model airplanes as a boy and moved with his family in 1954 to Long Island, where his father worked at Grumman, building airplanes. After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he became a helicopter mechanic and earned his pilot's license at the base flying club.
He later earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Fredonia State College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University at Buffalo. Unhappy working in the chemical industry, he decided to follow his first love — flying. He started an aircraft repair station — East Aurora Aviation — and later worked for USAirways as a mechanic.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Sandy, and his son and daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p. m. Thursday in St. John's United Church of Christ, 608 Centerline Road, Strykersville.
Authorities said Buergel, 71, the only person on board, crashed about 2:50 p. m. Friday at the edge of a field in Elgin, Kershaw County, not far from a small private airport.
Witnesses reported that they saw the plane circling a field near Interstate 20 with its engine sputtering before it plunged into trees, exploded and burned.
Buergel was a pilot, airplane mechanic, flight instructor and proprietor of a grass airstrip called Bloecher Farm Airport that he built on a hilltop east of East Aurora in 1974. He taught hundreds of Western New Yorkers including his children, Christopher and Tina, how to fly using stick and rudder.
Known for his quick wit and unconventional personality, he would often preface his remarks by saying, "I'm just a country pilot," but it understated his considerable skills as a flyer and a mechanic.
Born in Germany, he built model airplanes as a boy and moved with his family in 1954 to Long Island, where his father worked at Grumman, building airplanes. After he graduated from high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he became a helicopter mechanic and earned his pilot's license at the base flying club.
He later earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Fredonia State College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University at Buffalo. Unhappy working in the chemical industry, he decided to follow his first love — flying. He started an aircraft repair station — East Aurora Aviation — and later worked for USAirways as a mechanic.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Sandy, and his son and daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p. m. Thursday in St. John's United Church of Christ, 608 Centerline Road, Strykersville.
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