AGUILA, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities say a retired fighter pilot and former commander of the New York Air National Guard has died in a glider crash in the Arizona desert northwest of Phoenix.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says 61-year-old Major General Robert Knauff died Saturday afternoon after his glider crashed in Aguila.
Knauff assumed command of the Syracuse-based 174th Fighter Wing in 1996 and was commander of the New York Air Guard from 2005 until his retirement from the military in 2009.
He lived in the Syracuse suburb of Manlius and remained active in area community groups.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.