Teterboro Airport Crash: 2 Dead After Learjet Misses Runway On Approach

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Learjet crashed on approach to Teterboro Airport Monday afternoon, killing the two crew members on board, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The Learjet 35 crashed on approach to runway 1 at the airport at 3:30 p.m. at Kero and Commerce roads, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said. There were no passengers on board.

The plane crashed into the Carlstadt Department of Public Works building at 105 Kero Road near the runway, said Carlstadt Mayor Craig Lahullier. Two other buildings at 109 and 99 Kero Road also involved in the crash were damaged by a subsequent fire that erupted. The fire damage was contained to the outside of the buildings.

Thirteen vehicles were parked at the DPW building, which people left just minutes before the crash occurred, Deputy Police Chief Thomas Berta said at a press conference at 9 p.m. Monday night.

The two deceased crew members were the only reported injuries as a result of the crash, officials said.

Authorities did not release the crew members' names. Officials said either the National Traffic Safety Board or the FAA would release their names, possibly Tuesday. Berta said personnel from the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office were at the scene trying to identify the deceased.

The aircraft, which departed from Philadelphia International Airport, went down about one-quarter of a mile from the airport in a residential area, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. Officials at a press conference Monday afternoon said the plane "disintegrated."

A Carlstadt Police Department spokesman said the plane appeared to be listing to its side before the crash, NBC 4 reported.

The Port Authority closed the airport immediately after the crash. Scheduled flights were allowed to depart the airport beginning at 7 p.m., but incoming flights were barred from landing.

Officials from the FAA and NTSB were at the scene Monday afternoon into the evening.

A family reception center was opened at the Bergen County Vocational Technical School on Route 46, said Bergen County Executive James Tedesco.

Video from the site showed smoke rising from where the plane crashed.

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A photo of smoke rising from where the plane crashed near Teterboro Airport Monday afternoon. — Courtesy of Steve Case