Pair of friends piloted planes that crashed in NY, killing 3

Authorities say two small airplanes that collided and crashed in western New York were piloted by friends who had taken off with four other planes for their usual weekend outing.
Both pilots and one passenger were killed in the crash in North Collins yesterday morning.
Erie County authorities identified the victims today as 60-year-old Paul Rosiek, of Hamburg, and Richard and Kathleen Walker, who were both 69 and lived in Eden.
An investigation is underway into what caused Rosiek's Cessna 120 and the Walkers' Piper Cherokee to collide after leaving Hamburg Airport on route to St Mary's, Pennsylvania.
Authorities say they were part of a group that routinely flew together on Sundays.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Robert Gretz says a preliminary report is expected within 10 days.