Williamstown, New Jersey — A skydiving plane carrying 15 individuals crashed after veering off a runway at Cross Keys Airport on Wednesday evening, leading to several injuries, according to local authorities.
Emergency management officials reported that shortly after takeoff, the pilot encountered engine difficulties. As the Cessna 208B attempted to circle back for a landing, it ultimately plummeted into nearby woods around 5:30 p.m. local time. Andrew Halter from the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management confirmed the incident and offered updates at a press conference.
Injuries among the passengers ranged from minor complaints to critical conditions. Halter mentioned that many were treated for exposure to jet fuel prior to being transported to medical facilities. Fourteen occupants were taken to hospitals, including three individuals who were airlifted due to their serious injuries.
Halter expressed relief that there had been no fatalities reported. “It’s remarkable that all aboard are alive,” he said, highlighting the significance of surviving such an incident with various degrees of injury.
Footage captured from a local helicopter news crew showed emergency responders transporting stretchers from the wooded crash site to medical evacuation helicopters waiting nearby. Flight tracking data revealed a steep descent of the aircraft, dropping at a rate of over 3,000 feet per minute just before it lost signal.
Authorities stated that the aircraft was leased to a skydiving operation in Monroe Township from a Virginia company. Records indicate that this specific plane had a previous incident earlier this year where the nose gear collapsed during landing due to pilot error, as investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The airframe has sustained significant damage, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Working in coordination with the Monroe Township Police Department, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the NTSB, officials are gathering evidence and assessing the scene.
Following the completion of the inquiry, plans are in place to remove the aircraft and clean the site of any remaining contaminants. The crash has raised concerns regarding aviation safety in the area, prompting further scrutiny of the operational practices of local air traffic activities.