Pilot critical after Shelter Island small-plane crash

A pilot is in the hospital Tuesday after his small plane crashed on Shelter Island.
Michael Russo, 80, took off in his single-engine Cessna at around 6 p.m. Monday from Klenawicus Airfield. Police say Russo got only 30 feet in the air when he swerved and crashed into the ground nose-first.
Russo is in critical but stable condition with chest and leg injuries.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.