An animal rescue pilot has been killed in a plane crash in upstate New York, while two dogs who were with him survived, authorities said.

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.

When Seuk Kim took off from Maryland last weekend with three small dogs aboard his plane, it was the latest of many volunteer flights he had made to rescue animals in need.