A volunteer pilot flying three rescue dogs to a care facility in upstate New York died along with one of the dogs after his plane crashed in the state's Catskill Mountains, according to officials.

A pilot known for transporting rescued dogs to shelter and care facilities died alongside a canine in a plane crash in New York state's Catskill Mountains on Sunday, authorities said.

The Virginia pilot and father of three was described by loved ones as “witty, spontaneous, and full of boundless generosity.”