Stunt Pilot Killed In Air Show Crash

GROTON, Conn. - A pilot crashed and died yesterday while attempting a stunt takeoff in an air show, state police said.

Russell Gage, 51, of Canton, Mass., was dead on arrival at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police said the plane crashed at 2:45 p.m.

Alan Loncto, director and announcer of the Northeast Airshows performance, said Gage had been attempting a stunt move known as a ``roll on takeoff'' when he crashed.

Seconds after taking off, the plane plunged to the ground trailing a plume of smoke, crashing in a grassy area at the end of the runway, witnesses said.