Former NFL tight end Russ Francis was a co-pilot in a fatal plane crash that occurred as a result of an apparent engine failure, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Francis and his co-pilot, Richard McSpadden, were found dead at the Lake Placid Airport. Francis was 70 years old and McSpadden was 63 years old.
The aircraft being flown was a single-engine Cessna 177. Francis and McSpadden recognized there was an issue with the plane not too long after it took off, so they attempted to turn around and land it. Unfortunately, the engine lost power and the two were not able to land the plane successfully, resulting in the fatal crash that took both of their lives.
Francis was an experienced pilot and also was the president of Lake Placid Airways.
The New England Patriots selected Francis in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft and he spent his first six seasons with the Patriots before briefly retiring in 1981. In 1982, Francis decided to make a return to the NFL and spent the next five-plus seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before returning to the Patriots in 1987 and ending his career with the franchise that drafted him.
During his career 14-year career, Francis was a three-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 49ers 1984 Super Bowl Championship roster. In the Super Bowl, Francis hauled in five receptions for 60 yards en route to helping the 49ers defeat Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Francis and McSpadden families through these difficult times.
