Piper Crashes Into NJ Backyard, 2 Hurt

[Matt Molnar]

2 hurt as plane crashes in Hunterdon County backyard
by Mike Frassinelli and Rohan Mascarenhas/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday February 11, 2009, 11:18 PM

Two men were injured when a small plane clipped trees and left a trail of debris and mud on streets before crashing in a Hunterdon County backyard this afternoon, authorities said.

The plane, a single-engine four-seater Piper PA-28, crashed around 4:30 p.m. in the spacious yard of a Samuel Wilson Road home in Franklin Township, near Sky Manor Airport, State Police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones said. He said its two occupants suffered injuries, but they were not life-threatening.

Jones said the plane had a fuel-line problem shortly after takeoff from Sky Manor Airport. The aircraft lost power and hit trees in Alexandria Township but managed to clear power lines before crashing in Franklin Township. [Full Article]

Both men got out of the plane on their own and were conscious when first responders arrived.

[flyboy 28]

Just saw this in my local paper. Sky Manor is my local airport. I'm going to head down and grab some pics, if the plane is still there.

[flyboy 28]

Just got back. Here's a couple.







First time I've ever been to a crash site. Even though I know both occupants were alright, it was still a very eerie feeling.

[LGA777]

Thanks for getting those interesting shots flyboy28, I am very surprised but glad you where able to get so close.

Regards

LGA777

[flyboy 28]

Thanks for getting those interesting shots flyboy28, I am very surprised but glad you where able to get so close.

Regards

LGA777

Thanks, Ron. To be honest, so was I. It's literally 30 feet from the road. I pulled up to the State Trooper that was sitting there and asked if I could snap a few pics, and he said sure, just don't pass the yellow tape. I'm off to see if it's still there.

-James

[flyboy 28]

Here's an update from my local paper, The Express-Times.

Feds seek cause of plane crash

Pilot from Pittstown in serious condition
By Jennifer Golson
The Star-Ledger

Franklin Township I Federal officials are continuing to investigate what caused a plane to crash Wednesday afternoon behind a Hunterdon County home.

The man identified by New Jersey State Police as the pilot, 28-year-old Robert Argila Jr., of Pittstown, was airlifted to St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. A hospital supervisor listed him in critical condition early Thursday, but his condition was upgraded to serious Thursday night.

Passenger James Creveling, 33, of High Bridge, was treated and released from Hunterdon Medical Center, spokeswoman Maggie Verhalen said.

The 1973 Piper took off from Sky Manor Airport in Alexandria Township, encountered a fuel problem and lost power, state police Sgt. Stephen Jones said.

The plane went down and struck a few trees but regained power long enough to clear a set of powerlines, Jones said. The plane lost power again as it crossed over Sky Manor Road, he said.

The Piper crashed into a few trees and into the yard of a home on Samuel Wilson Road in neighboring Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, Jones said.

A state trooper guarded the aircraft overnight, and the National Transportation Safety Board is handling the investigation.

Investigator Corkey Smith said Thursday both men were pilots. The airplane was scheduled to be towed to another location to continue the investigation, Smith said.

Keith Holloway, a public affairs officer for the NTSB, said the agency would release preliminary information in as little as five to 10 days.

And here's a quick map I threw together of the incident.



-James