NTSB: Plane's engine lost power before crash that injured 15 in Gloucester Co.
The plane crashed shortly after taking off from Cross Keys Airport in Monroe.
A small plane that crashed in Gloucester County on July 2 lost engine power after takeoff, according to a report released this week by the National Transportation Safety Board.
In a preliminary report, the NTSB says the pilot of the Cessna 208B N716MM that crashed shortly after takeoff from Cross Keys Airport in Monroe Township "reported a loss of engine power and attempted to glide the airplane back to runway 27 at Cross Keys Airport."
The NTSB says fueling records show the aircraft had an uneventful 18-minute skydiving flight earlier in the day. It then refueled and took off again at 5:14 p.m. with two commercial pilots and 13 passengers on board. The reports states that the plane climbed to about 3,000 feet when the pilot reported the engine issue.
"The airplane approached the runway fast, floated, and touched down near the end. It traveled off the end of the runway and collided with trees about 700 ft beyond the runway. It then traveled about 250 ft through the trees, coming to rest upright," the report states.
The Cessna crashed at 5:29 p.m. The two pilots and 10 of the passengers sustained serious injuries. Three additional passengers suffered minor injuries. Officials say the pilots were initially unable to provide statements due to their injuries.
The plane itself was heavily damaged in the crash, the report states. Both sides of the fuselage were crushed, the wings were heavily damaged and three of the four propeller blades separated from the aircraft, according to the NTSB.
