1 Killed in Small Plane Crash in New Jersey

The plane crashed on train tracks near Linden

A small plane crashed near Linden Airport in New Jersey Friday afternoon, killing a flight instructor and seriously injuring a flight student, according to authorities.

The instructor, identified as 54-year-old Craig MacCallum, died in the crash, according to Linden police. 

Authorities said the flight student is a 19-year-old from Monmouth Junction, whose name has not been released. He is listed in serious condition. 

Airport director Paul Dudley says the diamond DA-20 single-engine plane experienced difficulty climbing after takeoff Friday afternoon and radioed that it was in trouble before crashing.

David Benedictus saw the crash, and said the plane took a dive "after like a second or two."

"You seen it go down, literally nose first," he said.

It ended up on abandoned railroad tracks that run parallel to Routes 1 and 9 west of the airport shortly after 1 p.m.

The NTSB said they were focused on perishable information, including ground scars and flight control positions, according to investigator Luke Schiada.

Records show the plane is registered to a company in Denville.

The flight school declined to comment on the crash.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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