NEW JERSEY - The
pilot of a small plane is dead and the passenger is seriously injured when
their aircraft crashed onto train tracks next to the former General Motors
factory in Linden, N.J.
The two seat diamond airplane crashed nose first and then
broke apart in the area of S. Stiles Road. The aircraft is a Diamond DV-20
Katana aircraft with two people on board.
58-year-old pilot, Craig MacCallum of Montclair, NJ, who was
instructing a young male student pilot, died in the crash according to Linden
police.
Airport officials say immediately after takeoff from Linden
airport around 1:10 pm, the plane had trouble and it was barely able to clear
the area's buildings. The plane apparently made a turn back towards the airport
and called a mayday.
"They were unable to gain altitude. Shortly thereafter,
they announced a mayday on the radio. The staff observed the aircraft flying
very low and immediately called 911," said Paul Dudley, Linden Airport
Manager.
Officials say MacCallum was from the Best in Flight Company
based in Linden who tried to make an emergency landing on the site of the old
GM plant, which is a large open space.
"I'm sure he probably went to try to land in the field
and, unfortunately, there was debris and he ran out of field," said
Dudley.
The plane crashed on top of an unused railroad track.
Officials say both men are in serious condition and that the older pilot was in
more badly hurt than his student.
One of the people was initially trapped in the plane and was
extricated by emergency crews.
The FAA is currently on scene and the National
Transportation and Safety Board has been called. Fox 5 has learned heat may
have played a role since very hot air thinner less lift, 93 degrees at time of
crash.
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