Authorities release identity of pilot killed in crash that may have sparked wildfire

The pilot was identified as 61-year-old Long Branch resident Oscar Molina.

Sep 6, 2023, 12:18 AM

Updated 325 days ago

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Lacey Township officials have identified the pilot killed in a plane crash that may have sparked a wildfire over the weekend.
The pilot was identified as 61-year-old Long Branch resident Oscar Molina.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the single-engine Cirrus SR22 crashed around 10:18 p.m. Saturday about a half-mile southwest of the Ocean County Airport in Bayville. The flight originated from Monmouth Executive Airport in Farmingdale, about 30 miles north of the crash site.
Officials say that the crash may have started a wildfire near Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Township. That fire was fully contained by Tuesday morning. Officials say that it impacted more than 800 acres of land but did not damage any buildings.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.


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