Plane Crash Involving Skydiving Aircraft at Cross Keys Airport in New Jersey
On Wednesday afternoon, a tragic incident occurred at Cross Keys Airport in Monroe Township, New Jersey, when a Cessna 208B plane carrying 15 people crashed shortly after taking off. The crash happened at approximately 5:30 p.m., as the plane went off the end of the runway during the early stages of its flight.
According to officials, the aircraft was leased to Skydive Cross Keys, a well-known skydiving company in the region. Initial reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) indicate that the plane had experienced engine trouble prior to the crash, though the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Casualties and Medical Response
Three people sustained critical injuries and were airlifted to a nearby hospital by helicopter. Gloucester County Emergency Management confirmed that trauma surgeons were on the scene to help triage the victims. At Cooper University Hospital in Camden, three individuals were reported to be in critical condition, while eight others with less severe injuries were being treated in the emergency department. Four additional individuals, with minimal injuries, were in the hospital’s waiting room as of Wednesday evening.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following the crash, emergency teams from various agencies responded quickly to the scene, including local firefighters, paramedics, and the F.A.A. An urgent appeal was made to the public by Gloucester County Emergency Management, urging people to avoid the area due to a “mass casualty incident” in progress.
A news report from Philadelphia’s 6abc station showed a chaotic emergency response on a rural road, with victims being loaded onto stretchers and transported to waiting ambulances.
Skydive Cross Keys Response
Skydive Cross Keys, which operates out of the airport, has been a staple of the Northeast’s skydiving community, offering tandem jumps, lessons toward skydiving certification, and solo jumps for licensed divers. The company has yet to comment further on the incident but has assured the public that they are cooperating with the investigation.
The crash has left many in the community shaken, and local authorities are continuing to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the plane’s failure.
As we learn more details, our thoughts remain with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
By Aishvarya Kavi and Neil Vigdor, The Times
