Skydiving Plane Crash Near New Jersey Airport Leaves Several Critically Injured

A skydiving plane carrying fifteen individuals crashed into a wooded area near a New Jersey airport. The incident resulted in several passengers sustaining critical injuries.

The Cessna 208B aircraft had been airborne for only a few minutes after departing from Cross Keys Airport in Williamstown. Reports of the downed plane surfaced shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. All fifteen occupants were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for medical attention. The Gloucester County Emergency Management described the event as a "mass casualty incident" in a social media post.

Three individuals with critical injuries were transported to the hospital via helicopter. Trauma surgeons were present at the scene, assessing and treating the victims, as stated by a Cooper spokesperson. Footage from a local news outlet showed emergency personnel transporting individuals on stretchers following the crash. The remaining twelve individuals on board were being treated for less severe or minor injuries. Several of those injured were reportedly covered in jet fuel.

Authorities expressed relief that there were no reported fatalities. Some injuries were described as severe or critical. Emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, and EMS crews, provided immediate medical assistance at the scene. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed that there were no fatalities at the time.

The Cessna, which was leased to Skydive Cross Keys, had reported engine trouble prior to the crash. The pilot attempted to circle back and land at Cross Keys Airport but was unsuccessful. Federal and local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

The incident occurred just days after a small twin-engine plane crashed in Ohio, resulting in six fatalities. That plane crashed in a heavily wooded area shortly after taking off from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. The plane was carrying two crew members and four passengers. Local officials noted that the situation could have been worse, as the plane crashed near several houses.