Bills star Dion Dawkins missed Buffalo practice on Thursday … after a small plane crashed in his yard.
Authorities in Aurora, N.Y. say the single-engine aircraft went down at around 11:22 AM — after it had apparently experienced mechanical issues.
Law enforcement stated the plane was engulfed in flames after it landed on the ground just feet away from Dawkins’ residence — and one person tragically died.
Neither Dawkins nor anyone else in the area of the wreck was injured, authorities added.
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Officials stated the plane was on its way to New York from Michigan. Further details surrounding the crash were not made immediately available. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement Thursday afternoon it’s launched an investigation into the matter.
Dawkins was excused from Buffalo practice to handle the situation.
The left tackle — who’s played all seven seasons of his NFL career in Buffalo — has suited up in each of the Bills’ 14 games this year … and has had a large role in Josh Allen‘s MVP-caliber season.