15 people were on board the aircraft, including the pilot when the plane went down in a large, wooded area in Gloucester County.
A skydiving plane that went off a runway and crashed into the woods near a small New Jersey airport experienced "mechanical issues" just minutes after taking off, the skydiving company said in a statement July 3.
The single-engine Cessna 208B went off the end of the runway while departing Cross Keys Airport in southern New Jersey at around 5:30 p.m. on July 2, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft was carrying 15 people, including the pilot.
Skydive Cross Keys, which has operated since 1994 at Cross Keys Airport, said the aircraft developed "mechanical issues" at roughly 3,000 feet after takeoff, according to the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, part of the USA TODAY Network. The pilot, described as "highly experienced," turned back for an emergency landing, but the plane left the runway and crashed into a wooded area, the company said.
The company noted that the plane was up-to-date on all scheduled maintenance and had recently undergone a routine FAA inspection. It added that it was cooperating with the FAA and local authorities "to determine the root cause of the incident."
The company expressed relief that no one died in the crash, saying the outcome "could have been much worse." Authorities said 14 people were hospitalized after the incident, including three who remained in critical condition at a New Jersey hospital as of July 3.
Injuries for the victims ranged from minor to serious, "though none are believed to be life-threatening," according to the company. It added that several victims who were transported to the hospital have since been discharged.
"We're incredibly thankful for the skill and composure of our pilot, whose actions helped keep everyone alive," the company said. "We're also deeply grateful to the emergency responders who arrived so quickly and took such great care of everyone on board."
Cross Keys Airport is a known location for skydiving outings. The airport is located in Gloucester County, about 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
In an initial report posted on July 3, the FAA said the aircraft experienced engine issues after departure and "crashed while returning to the airport after a runway excursion into trees." Authorities said the plane is owned and operated by ARNE Aviation out of Virginia and was leased to Skydive Cross Keys.
Andrew Halter, with Gloucester County Emergency Management, previously said the pilot reported "engine trouble" before the crash. The plane tried to circle back for landing but was unsuccessful in that attempt, according to Halter.
During a news conference on July 3, Monroe Township Police Chief John McBride described the scene as chaotic as emergency personnel swiftly responded and provided aid. The police chief said the plane sustained "extremely extensive" damage and debris had been spread out through the entire area.
"The plane was completely mangled and just beyond repair," McBride said at the news conference. "It just looked like a big pile of metal, and there was just people crawling out of it."
The aircraft was elevated and stuck between several trees, according to McBride, who said fire crews had to cut down trees to get to the wreckage.
McBride added that victims had been covered in jet fuel, and some were heard screaming in pain as they tried to navigate between fallen trees and debris. He said victims who sustained minor injuries assisted those who were more seriously hurt.
Authorities said the official cause of the crash remains under investigation, which is being led by the Monroe Township Police Department, Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, and the FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash and will provide additional information when available.
14 passengers recovering from the crash
At the July 3 news conference, Halter said one passenger refused medical treatment at the scene and 14 were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Eleven people were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden by medical helicopter, including three who were in critical condition when they left the scene, according to Halter. Three others were transported to Inspira Medical Center of Mullica Hill by ambulance.
As of late morning on July 3, Halter said three people were listed in critical condition and eight were still receiving treatment at Cooper University Hospital. He added that many of the victims suffered various extremity injuries, such as upper or lower extremities.
McBride said he told the passenger who declined treatment that he had a facial injury and needed care, but in response, the man said: “That’ll be something cool to tell the ladies later.”
The police chief noted that the man remained at the crash scene to check that other passengers were safe.