Plane Crashes After Engine Failure

A skydiving plane carrying 15 people crashed into the woods after overshooting the runway at Cross Keys Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time, shortly after the aircraft, a Cessna 208B, took off.

According to Andrew Halter from the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, the pilot had reported engine trouble shortly after takeoff and attempted to return for an emergency landing. The effort was unsuccessful, and the plane went off the runway into a wooded area.

Injuries Ranged from Minor to Critical

Fourteen of the 15 individuals onboard were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Halter reported that three of them were airlifted in critical condition. The injuries among passengers ranged from minor to life-threatening.

Emergency crews on site conducted decontamination procedures for several passengers who were covered in jet fuel before they were sent to hospitals.

Authorities Praise Survival as “Remarkable”

Despite the severity of the crash, no fatalities have been reported. Halter expressed his astonishment at the outcome during a press conference held Wednesday evening.

“It’s amazing that at this point there are no fatalities reported,” he said. “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.”

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on the reported engine failure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to be involved in determining the cause.

Cross Keys Airport, located southeast of Philadelphia, is commonly used for recreational skydiving activities. Operations at the airport were temporarily suspended following the crash.