Pilot, Wife Died In Sunday Crash; Children Hospitalized

FAA records show the pilot of a Piper Seneca (file photo of type, right) that went down Sunday night while attempting to land in heavy fog had a history of reckless behavior, and had been cited twice for operating an aircraft in a "careless or reckless manner." In fact, he'd even lost his ticket once for such actions.

Unfortunately, Steven Ben-Hanania lost more than his pilot's license Sunday. The 57-year-old man was killed in the accident at the Old Bridge Airport in New Jersey, as was his wife, Shirry. The couple's two teenage children, Amber and Adam, are still hospitalized -- and officials haven't given any updated information of their conditions since Monday, when they were listed as "critical, but stable."

Newsday reports that Ben-Hanania had his license pulled in 1992, for operating an airplane in a "careless or reckless manner." His license was reissued in 1994 -- but he was cited again last year for the same charge, as well as for flying into restricted airspace.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the accident, also says Ben-Hanania did not have an IFR rating -- and conditions at the airport Sunday night were less-than-ideal for visual flight.

The NTSB has yet to post a preliminary report on the accident. The probable cause will not be determined for some time.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov