UPDATE: Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Route 72 In Manahawkin

A small plane made an emergency landing on Route 72 near the Home Depot store this morning, according to Stafford Township police and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Stafford Police responded to the area of Route 72 and Route 9 at 10:13 a.m.

“The initial investigation suggests that the small single engine plane, carrying students from the Skydive East Coast Sky Diving School, lost power, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing on the grass median between the east and westbound lanes of Route 72,” Stafford Officer Christopher Fritz said.

One sky dive instructor was treated for a small cut on his arm, but there were no other injuries, he said.

There were four passengers and the pilot on board, Fritz said.

Officers at the scene closed the left lanes on Route 72 in both directions for approximately 90 minutes while the scene remained under investigation. No other vehicles were involved, Fritz said.

The investigation will be turned over to Federal Aviation Administration for further investigation, he said.

“Kudos to the pilot. ...Sunday traffic on 72 and a no injury landing....pretty much textbook,” Janine Seeley wrote on the Stafford Township Police Department Facebook page.

“It happened right in front of me and I have to say way to go to the pilot!” Leah Faith Scalie wrote on the department’s Facebook page. ” Calm, cool, and collective and was able to land safely! Glad everyone was ok!”

Route 72 is open, police said.

Photo credits: Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Stafford Township Police Department.