Fifteen people were taken to a hospital on Wednesday evening after a skydiving aircraft veered off the runway and crashed into a wooded area near a southern New Jersey airport, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at Cross Keys Airport, located approximately 21 miles southeast of Philadelphia. The aircraft involved was identified as a Cessna 208B, a single-engine utility plane often used for skydiving operations. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the crash.
The aircraft was carrying 15 individuals at the time of the accident. Emergency response teams arrived promptly at the crash site, where aerial images later revealed the plane lodged among trees with broken parts and debris scattered nearby. Multiple firetrucks and emergency vehicles surrounded the area as rescue efforts were underway. Local authorities, including the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management, advised residents to avoid the area to allow first responders unimpeded access to the site.
Medical teams reported a range of injuries among the 15 people on board. Three of the injured were transported to the trauma center at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, for further evaluation and treatment. Another eight passengers with moderate injuries were admitted to the hospital’s emergency department, according to hospital representatives. An additional four individuals sustained minimal injuries and were awaiting further medical evaluation. While specific details on the injuries remain unavailable, hospital officials confirmed that their EMS and trauma teams were actively involved at the crash location to assist in immediate care and patient transport.
A spokesperson from the hospital emphasized that their emergency response system was mobilized quickly, and medical personnel were deployed directly to the crash scene as part of the coordinated rescue operation. The hospital continues to monitor the condition of those admitted, and further updates on their health status are expected in the coming days.
Cross Keys Airport, which is home to a number of aviation activities including commercial skydiving operations, became the center of attention following the crash. When contacted, a staff member at the airport declined to provide details and redirected inquiries to Skydive Cross Keys, a skydiving company operating at the facility. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the aircraft involved or the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident and has not provided a timeline for when preliminary findings will be released. Investigators will likely examine the aircraft's maintenance history, pilot logs, weather conditions, and other relevant factors to determine what may have contributed to the crash.
Though rare, aviation accidents involving skydiving aircraft raise significant safety questions, particularly about equipment checks, pilot readiness, and airstrip conditions. The incident has prompted renewed attention to safety protocols at small airports and skydiving operations across the region. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to review procedures to ensure such accidents can be prevented in the future.
This crash serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with adventurous activities and the importance of having robust emergency response systems in place. Local and federal agencies continue to work in coordination to manage the aftermath of the crash, support the victims, and determine the exact sequence of events that led to the aircraft’s sudden departure from the runway and into the woods.
More information will be made available as authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the crash. Community members and aviation professionals alike are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting both updates on the victims and insight into how such a serious incident occurred.
