A skydiving plane carrying 15 people went off the end of a runway while taking off from a southern New Jersey airport on Wednesday afternoon, July 2, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 5:20 p.m. local time at Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County, about 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia. The aircraft involved was a Cessna 208B aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The pilot did report engine trouble prior to the crash,” Andrew Halter, with Gloucester County Emergency Management, said during a news conference. “The plane did try to circle back and try to attempt the landing, we were told, but was unsuccessful in that attempt.”
The injuries ranged from minor to critical, and the plane sustained extensive damage, according to Halter. He added that some of the passengers were covered in jet fuel and had to be decontaminated before being transported to the hospital.
A total of 15 people, including the pilot, were on board the aircraft, Halter said. Of those 15, one person refused medical treatment at the scene, and three were transported to Inspira Medical Center of Mullica Hill by ambulance.
Eleven people were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, including three who were reported to be in critical condition and were flown by medical helicopter, according to Halter.
“Just the fact that we have 15 people that are still with us here today, some with minor injuries, I think is fantastic and remarkable,” Halter said. “It’s again, a joint effort between probably the pilot’s initiative as well as all public safety providers that were out on scene tonight.”
Residents urged to avoid area as authorities investigate
Residents were asked to avoid the area while emergency personnel were working on scene, according to reporting by the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on X that he had been briefed on the incident. He added that all injured victims were being treated at the hospital and that there were “no fatalities at this time.”
Earlier on July 2, an FAA spokesperson said three passengers onboard were taken to the trauma unit of Cooper University Hospital in Camden to be evaluated.
Eight victims “with less severe injuries” were being evaluated and treated in Cooper’s emergency department while four “with minimal injuries are in a waiting room awaiting further evaluation as well,” the spokesperson added.
Cause of crash remains under investigation
The incident involved a single-engine Cessna 208B that is owned and operated by ARNE Aviation out of Virginia and leased to Skydive Cross Keys, according to Halter.
“The pilot was reportedly in an ascent at that point, and again, reported some engine trouble,” Halter said. “That’s when he was trying to circle back to make it back down onto the ground, but was unable to do so.”
Halter noted that the official cause of the crash remains under investigation, which is being led by the Monroe Township Police Department, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, and the FAA.
The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash and said it would provide additional information when available.
Cross Keys Airport, located in Williamstown, is a known location for skydiving outings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Skydiving plane carrying 15 people crashes at Cross Keys Airport in NJ
