Skydiving Plane Crashes in New Jersey, 15 Injured \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Fifteen people were hospitalized after a skydiving aircraft crashed in the woods near Cross Keys Airport in southern New Jersey. The Cessna 208B veered off the runway and landed in a wooded area. Emergency crews responded swiftly, and the FAA has launched an investigation.
Quick Looks
- Skydiving plane crashes near Cross Keys Airport, NJ
- Cessna 208B carried 15 passengers; all hospitalized
- Crash site located 21 miles southeast of Philadelphia
- Emergency crews from trauma and EMS teams responded
- FAA has launched an official investigation into the incident
- Cooper University Hospital treating victims with various injuries
- Gloucester County urged public to avoid the crash site
- Skydive Cross Keys has not commented publicly
Deep Look
A skydiving aircraft carrying 15 people crashed off a runway into a wooded area near a southern New Jersey airport on Wednesday evening, leaving all onboard injured and prompting a swift emergency response. The incident occurred at Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County, about 21 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
Authorities say the crash involved a Cessna 208B, a single-engine turboprop commonly used for skydiving operations. The aircraft reportedly veered off the runway during takeoff or landing—details are still under investigation—and ended up in a wooded section just beyond the airport’s airstrip. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the details and announced a formal investigation into the cause of the crash.
Aerial footage captured shortly after the crash showed the plane resting in a wooded area, its fuselage largely intact but surrounded by scattered debris. Emergency vehicles, including firetrucks and ambulances, quickly encircled the site to assess injuries and assist victims.
Of the 15 people on board, three were transported to Cooper University Hospital’s trauma center in Camden for further evaluation. According to hospital spokesperson Wendy A. Marano, eight other passengers were being treated in the hospital’s emergency department for less severe injuries. An additional four individuals with “minimal injuries” remained under observation pending further evaluation. The specific nature and severity of the injuries have not been disclosed at this time.
Marano noted that members of the hospital’s emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma response teams were dispatched to the crash site as part of the emergency response, highlighting the seriousness with which the incident was handled.
The plane, according to the FAA, was operating out of Cross Keys Airport, a general aviation facility known for housing Skydive Cross Keys—a commercial skydiving company that regularly runs skydiving flights for recreational jumpers and tandem customers.
When reached by phone, a representative at Cross Keys Airport declined to provide information and referred inquiries to Skydive Cross Keys. The skydiving company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.
The incident has shaken the local community, as Cross Keys Airport is a known hub for aviation activity in the area. Gloucester County Emergency Management issued a public advisory via Facebook, asking residents and onlookers to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles to move freely and maintain access to the scene.
Though rare, skydiving-related aircraft crashes can happen and are typically investigated thoroughly by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Most skydiving aircraft are older-model planes modified for jump operations, and safety regulations require regular maintenance and pilot certifications.
The Cessna 208B involved in the crash is widely used in both cargo and passenger operations and has a generally strong safety record. It can carry up to 19 passengers and is frequently used by skydiving businesses due to its spacious interior and high-climb performance.
While the cause of the crash has not yet been officially identified, aviation experts speculate that mechanical failure, pilot error, or runway conditions could have contributed to the accident. Investigators will analyze flight data, maintenance logs, and witness statements as part of the FAA’s review process.
In recent years, the FAA has placed increased scrutiny on smaller aviation companies, particularly those involved in commercial skydiving. While skydiving itself is statistically safe when done under regulated conditions, the aircraft operations that support it must meet all FAA standards for safety and reliability.
Cross Keys Airport and the surrounding region have not experienced a major aviation incident in recent years, making Wednesday’s crash particularly notable. The airport has been in operation for decades and is often busy during summer months, when skydiving activity increases.
As of Thursday morning, the aircraft had not yet been removed from the crash site. Officials are expected to conduct a full field investigation, including inspection of the plane’s systems and interviews with the pilot and passengers.
The identities of those injured have not yet been released, and there are no reports of fatalities. Officials emphasized that all 15 passengers were alive when transported for treatment.
The incident has also raised questions about operational oversight and emergency preparedness at recreational aviation hubs. With skydiving remaining a popular summertime activity, both the FAA and local officials will be closely monitoring the results of the investigation and considering any necessary safety recommendations moving forward.
As more details emerge in the coming days, both the FAA and potentially the NTSB are expected to release preliminary findings regarding the cause and contributing factors in the crash.
Skydiving Plane Crashes
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