Bills’ Dion Dawkins misses part of Thursday’s practice after small plane crashes behind his home

Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins missed the early portion of Thursday’s practice after a single-engine plane en route from Lansing, Mich. to White Plains, N.Y. crashed behind his property in Aurora, N.Y. The East Aurora Police Department confirmed the pilot — the only passenger on board — was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries reported.

EAPD chief Patrick Welch confirmed that Buffalo Niagara International Airport issued an alert six minutes before the crash at 11:16 a.m. ET, caused by a single-engine 1979 Beechcraft A36 plane experiencing mechanical issues. The East Aurora Fire Department reported a “fully involved” fire upon arrival, which crews suppressed within “20 minutes to a half an hour.”

The incident, which occurred in a wooded area off Route 20a, approximately 10 miles east of Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium, did not impact the two closest residences, one of which is owned by Dawkins. He said Thursday that he does not currently live at the property.

“I just hope that, you know, the pilot’s family is okay, I hope that they’re doing alright,” Dawkins told reporters on Thursday. “I’m glad that my family is perfectly fine.”

Dawkins, who said he was in the hot tub getting ready for practice when he was first notified, later rejoined his teammates as Buffalo (11-3) gears up for Sunday’s Week 16 home game against the New England Patriots (3-11).