At least 15 people were hospitalized after a skydiving aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into a wooded area near a small airport in southern New Jersey on Wednesday evening, authorities confirmed.
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 individuals, according to a spokesperson from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has launched an investigation into the crash.
Aerial footage of the wreckage showed the plane resting amid dense trees, with debris scattered around the crash site. Emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, quickly surrounded the area as first responders worked to assess the situation.
Wendy Marano, a spokesperson for Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, stated that three individuals were undergoing evaluation at the hospital's trauma center, while eight others were being treated for less serious injuries in the emergency department.
Four additional people, described as having sustained minor injuries, were awaiting further medical assessment. Marano noted that trauma teams and emergency personnel were present at the crash site to assist with medical needs.
The nature and cause of the crash are still under investigation by federal authorities, and no fatalities have been reported. The incident has drawn attention to safety protocols in recreational aviation, especially concerning skydiving operations.
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