Plane carrying 15 skydiving enthusiasts veers off the runway at a New Jersey airport.
A tragic incident unfolded at Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown, New Jersey, on Wednesday afternoon, as a single-engine skydiving plane, a Cessna 208B, carrying 15 people, including the pilot, crashed into the woods near the runway.
The plane took off at around 5:25 p.m., but shortly after, it encountered engine trouble and circled back before crashing. The exact altitude at the time of engine trouble remains undetermined.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find extensive damage to the aircraft and many victims covered in jet fuel. Fourteen people were injured and hospitalized, with three in critical condition and the others suffering mostly minor injuries. One person refused treatment at the scene.
The victims were decontaminated before being transported to hospitals, including Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Five victims are currently being treated there.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively investigating the crash, and a preliminary report is expected to be posted within one business day. The aircraft involved in the crash belongs to a Virginia company and had a previous incident in 2023, which was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The exact cause of the crash is not yet known, but Wendy Marano, a spokesperson, stated that a trauma surgeon and members of the EMS crew are on site at the crash site, waiting for updates on the victims' status.
The Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management has classified the incident as a "mass casualty incident" and has asked the public to avoid the area while investigations continue. This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as investigations proceed.
CNN's Danya Gainor contributed to this report.
The tragic car-accident at Cross Keys Airport has gained nationwide general-news coverage, as it resembles a suspenseful drama, given the number of individuals involved. As we anxiously await further weather-forecasting updates, authorities are urging us to keep the victims' families in our thoughts and prayers. The weather conditions during the time of the accidents could potentially influence the ongoing investigations into the cause of the crash, as unfortunate incidents like these are often complex in nature.
