2 Killed In Plane Crash Near Aspen, Victims Identified

ASPEN, CO — Two people were killed Sunday in a plane crash near Aspen, authorities said.

The aircraft crashed around 14 minutes after it took off from the ski town, and rescue workers recovered the bodies.

The victims have been identified as New Yorkers Ruben Cohen and David Zara.

Cohen was an oral surgeon on the Upper East Side. His clinic informed patients of his death Tuesday morning.

"It is with much sadness that we write this letter to let you know that Dr. Ruben Cohen was tragically killed in a plane accident over the weekend," the office wrote. "We will all feel his loss."

Both Zara and Cohen were aviators. Cohen owned the Long Island-based company LEC Aviation, LLC, according to the Aspen Times. The Hawker Beechcraft G36 Bonanza aircraft that crashed was reportedly registered to his company.

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Cohen was born in France and raised in Paris, and devoted significant time to volunteer medical work, which took him to "towns and villages in Asia, Africa and Central America" as well as Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, according to his online profile. He also volunteered in rescue work at Ground Zero after 9/11.

"I've been very fortunate to have an excellent education, but it's the volunteer work and community involvement that have made the most impact in giving me a strong sense of empathy and compassion," Cohen wrote.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Patch Editor Nick Garber contributed to this report.