Feds On Caldwells Plane Crash: Landing Gear Was Down, Fire Consumed Cabin

CALDWELL, NJ — Federal authorities have released more details about a small plane that crashed and burned in a residential area of West Caldwell on Jan. 21, seriously injuring its pilot.

The crash took place around 12:45 p.m. when a Hawker Beechcraft G36 destined for Westchester County Airport lost engine power during its initial climb out of Essex County Airport in Caldwell, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

According to the NTSB report, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control information revealed that the pilot taxied to Runway 22 at Essex County Airport. After a delay for inbound traffic and weather, the controller cleared the airplane for takeoff with a left turnout. After taking off, the airplane turned left and continued climbing until it reached 100 feet above ground level, when it began to descend.

“The airplane then struck the roof of a warehouse with the left wing, impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude while rotating to the left, then made contact with the ground with the belly of the airplane,” the NTSB report stated.

A large fire erupted in the wake of the crash, prompting a courageous rescue effort from nearby bystanders, including a retired Newark fire captain and his son.

• See related article: Retired Newark Fireman and Son Rescue Pilot From Burning Wreckage

The pilot – the only occupant of the aircraft – suffered a broken leg and burns to his face and chest and was transported to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson.

There were no ground injuries that resulted from the crash, NTSB authorities stated.

• See related article: Plane Crashes Near Homes In Caldwells, New Jersey

According to the NTSB report, the accident site was located about half a mile from the departure end of Runway 22. Examination of the accident site and wreckage revealed that the landing gear was down, the three-bladed propeller separated from the engine during the impact sequence and the majority of the airplane's cabin had been consumed by fire.

Weather conditions at the time and place of the crash were about 8 degrees Celsius, with five-knot winds and a nine-mile visibility, the report stated.

FAA records showed that the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on June 16, 2016. He reported on that date, that he had accrued 1,430 total hours of flight experience.

FAA and maintenance records showed that the airplane was manufactured in 2012. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on Jan. 16. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 251.9 total hours of operation.

NTSB officials retained the crash wreckage for further examination.

File Photo (not the plane in crash): Hawker Beechcraft G36, via Wikimedia Commons

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