Schumer wants NTSB to look into spate of small plane crashes

NEW YORK (AP) - Sen. Chuck Schumer wants the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct an in-depth investigation of small plane crashes, following two incidents last month and at least 18 crashes in New York last year.

Schumer on Sunday released a letter he wrote to the NTSB. He cited a Feb. 19 crash of a single-engine plane that took off from Long Island and crashed into a neighborhood in Bayonne, New Jersey, as well as a Feb. 26 crash of a plane being used for practice at another Long Island airport. Two people were killed in that crash.

The New York Democrat wants the agency to look into why the small plane crashes are happening and possible additional safety measures. The NTSB said it would review the letter once it's been received.