A single-engine aircraft crashed near Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County, New Jersey, on Wednesday, raising serious concern due to the number of people on board. The incident occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. in Williamstown, according to reports by ABC News affiliate Action News.
The aircraft, reportedly a Cessna 208 — a model commonly used for skydiving operations — went nose-first into the ground shortly after taking off from Cross Keys Airport.
There were 14 people on board the plane at the time of the crash, Action News reported.
Video footage from the crash site showed a massive emergency response, with multiple ambulances and emergency personnel present. At least five individuals were transferred to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, although the extent of their injuries remains unknown.
The plane’s registration number was identified as N716MM, as per aviation radar tracking data. This particular aircraft is typically used for skydiving, which aligns with early reports indicating it was operating as a skydiving flight at the time of the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not yet released an official statement regarding the crash. The New York and New Jersey Port Authority confirmed the plane went down shortly after takeoff.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. More updates are expected as the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) begin their formal probe.