Woodbridge Raises Money For Colonia Plane Crash Victims

COLONIA, NJ — All of Woodbridge Township is still reeling Wednesday after a plane crashed into a home in the Colonia section Tuesday morning, tragically killing its sole occupant and pilot.

Michael Schloss, 74, a retired cardiologist, was trying to land at Linden Airport, less than five miles away, when he apparently lost control of the aircraft in misty rain and poor visibility. He flew into an unoccupied home at 84 Berkley Avenue. By all accounts Schloss was an experienced pilot who had flown into Linden Airport dozens of times. It remains unclear what went fatally wrong on Tuesday.

Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac announced a fundraising effort has been established to assist the families impacted by the plane crash and subsequent fire that destroyed three residential homes on Berkeley Avenue.

This GoFundMe has also been set up for the family that lived at 84 Berkely Avenue. Their home was completely destroyed when the plane flew into it and exploded. The burned-out shell of their home can be seen above.

A mother, father and an elementary-age child live in the home. The parents were both at work, and the child was at school at the time the plane flew into the home, neighbors said.

"My wife spoke to the family who owns the home that was hit," said Colonia resident Matt Loomis, who lives two doors down from the crash site. "Both (homeowners) just cried immediately. It's one of those things where you think how lucky you are. Everyone is distraught. Did this really just happen?"

Woodbridge Township staff will be at the Evergreen Senior Center, located at 400 Inman Avenue in Colonia, on Wed., Oct. 30, Thurs., Oct. 31 and Fri., Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sat., Nov. 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to receive donations.

Donations in the form of checks payable to the Woodbridge Community Charity Fund and gift cards from established wholesale/retail outlets will be accepted.

Initial Patch report: Pilot Dies After Plane Crashes Into Woodbridge Home (UPDATE)

Contact the Mayor’s Office at: WBMayor@twp.woodbridge.nj.us for additional information.

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