A Cirrus SR22, a single-engine airplane, crashed in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township near Ocean County Airport on Saturday night at around 10:18 p.m. The crash occurred in a wooded area, and there was no information about the pilot’s condition. The plane had departed from Monmouth Executive Airport in Farmingdale.
Shortly after the crash, a large wildfire broke out in the surrounding area. The fire has since spread across more than 300 acres and is currently zero percent contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. There has been no confirmation if the crash and the wildfire are related.
Emergency responders faced challenges in locating the downed aircraft due to its secluded location, which might explain the discrepancy in the stated crash time. Local authorities have not commented on the situation.
In addition to the wildfire near Ocean County Airport, another fire has broken out at the Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Township, which is adjacent to the airport. This fire has spread across 325 acres of land and is currently zero percent contained. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that 25 structures are at risk.
As a result of the fires, a stretch of Dover Road between Lacey Road and Pinewald Keswick Road, as well as a portion of Mule Road between Lacey Road and Pinewald Keswick Road, have been closed.
Further details about the crash and the progress of the wildfires are expected to be released as the investigation and firefighting efforts continue.