World War II Era Plane Lifted From Hudson River 1 Day After Deadly Crash

— -- Crews on Saturday lifted a World War II-era single-seat fighter plane from the Hudson River, one day after it crashed into the water between New York and New Jersey, killing the pilot.

The Coast Guard said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The plane, which took off from an airport on Long Island, went into the water around 7:30 p.m. Friday, about two miles south of the George Washington Bridge. A distress signal was issued.

The pilot, identified by police as 56-year-old William Gordon of Key West, Florida, died from the crash. His body was subsequently recovered by divers, police said.

The FAA said that the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft was one of three that had departed from Republic Airport on Long Island. The two other aircraft returned to the airport safely, the FAA said.

The plane had been based at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York, on Long Island, for the past 16 years and was scheduled to participate in the Jones Beach Air Show on Saturday.