Plane Crashes Near Homes In Caldwells, New Jersey [VIDEO]

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — A small aircraft crashed in a residential area about a mile away from Essex County Airport on Saturday afternoon, injuring the pilot but apparently not causing any bystander injuries or significant damage to any nearby homes, reports say.

According to authorities, the crash took place around 12:45 p.m. when a Hawker Beachcraft Bonanza plane crashed on Patton Drive in West Caldwell.

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.

It didn't appear that anyone on the ground was injured or that any homes were damaged, the Associated Press reported.

Fairfield resident Bob Alviggi told NJ.com that the crash – which happened about 20 feet away from his house – caused flames so intense that the heat warped his fence.

Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

In August of 2015, another small aircraft crashed behind the West Caldwell Kiddie Academy after taking off from Essex County Airport, killing the pilot, a veteran flight instructor with 25 years of experience.

The pilot, Long Branch resident John Hannon, was on his way to pick up a student at Teterboro Airport when he reported engine troubles, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said.

• See related article: Pilot Killed In N.J. Plane Crash Behind Kiddie Academy
• See related article: West Caldwell Plane Crash: Pilot Was On Way To Pick Up Student

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