Former American soccer participant Russ Francis has been killed in a aircraft crash alongside a former US air power commander.

Mr Francis, 70, who performed for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers within the NFL, and Richard McSpadden, 63, died on Sunday afternoon when their small aircraft crashed after taking off from an upstate New York airport.

New York State Police mentioned the Cessna 177 aircraft “encountered trouble” and crashed into an embankment on the nook of Lake Placid airport simply after departing the runway.

Mr Francis, who gained the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1985, was president of Lake Placid Airways, which runs constitution and scenic flights, and had been a certified pilot for almost 50 years, in accordance with NBC News.

He performed tight finish for each the 49ers and Patriots for a complete of 13 seasons, making the latter’s Pro Bowl choice for 3 straight seasons from 1977-79.

“Russ was a fan favourite throughout his playing career,” Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft mentioned in a press release after his dying.

“He was a dynamic participant on the sphere who had an excellent greater persona off it. He knew no boundaries, pushed the bounds and lived his life to the fullest.

“Our thoughts are with Russ’s family, friends, teammates and the many Patriots fans who mourn his loss.”

In a press release, the 49ers mentioned they have been “saddened to learn of the tragic passing”, including: “We send our deepest condolences to the Francis family during this difficult time.”

Mr Francis joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and was a part of the workforce that beat Miami within the Super Bowl in January 1985.

He returned to New England in 1987 and retired the 12 months after, having made a profession complete of 393 catches for five,262 yards and scored 40 touchdowns.

Mr Francis ranks twenty first of all-time in catches and sixteenth in receiving yards for the Patriots and thirtieth and thirty second in the identical classes for the 49ers.

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Mr McSpadden was a senior vp of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and was often called an aviation security knowledgeable.

The organisation mentioned his profession included a stint as commander of the Thunderbirds, an indication squadron and show workforce within the US air power.

The crash is beneath investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.