Skydiving plane crashes near New Jersey airport injures 15 people; investigation underway

The site of the New Jersey plane crash (Image: AP)

At least 15 people were hospitalized after a small skydiving plane veered off the runway and crashed into a wooded area near an airport in southern New Jersey on Wednesday evening, authorities reported.

The Associated Press quoted a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson stating that the incident occurred at Cross Keys Airport, located approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia. The aircraft involved was a Cessna 208B carrying 15 people onboard.

Three pepople were tretysted at  Cooper University Hospital’s trauma center in Camden, New Jersey according to AP.

While other eight have less severe injuries were trested at the emergency department of the same hospital. Four other patients with “minimal injuries" were waiting for further evaluation.

Members of the hospital’s EMS and trauma department were at the crash site. The area is notably a popular skydiving destination with the “largest skydiving centre in the region" located just two minutes away from the airport, the New York Post stated.

Aerial footage of the crashed plane shows it in a wooded area, with several pieces of debris nearby. Firetrucks and other emergency vehicles surrounded the scene.

A person who answered the phone at Cross Keys Airport on Wednesday said they had no information and directed inquiries to Skydive Cross Keys, a commercial skydiving company based at the airport. Skydive Cross Keys did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’s request for comment via email.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and an investigation is currently underway.