Second Major Skydiving Aviation Incident in Recent Weeks Raises Safety Concerns
A skydiving aircraft carrying 15 people crashed at Cross Keys Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday evening, July 2, 2025, marking the second significant skydiving plane accident in recent weeks. Fifteen people were hurt after a skydiving plane crashed in Monroe Township, New Jersey, officials said. The plane – which had 15 people on board – crashed at the Cross Keys Airport on Tuckahoe Road around 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2.
Details of the New Jersey Crash
The incident involved a Cessna 208B aircraft that experienced engine trouble shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported engine trouble as the Cessna 208B ascended before crashing into the woods at Cross Keys Airport, southeast of Philadelphia, around 5:30 p.m. local time. Emergency responders quickly mobilized for what authorities classified as a mass casualty event.
Fourteen people were hospitalized after a single-engine skydiving plane went down on Wednesday in Gloucester County, New Jersey. The aircraft went off the runway and crashed into a wooded area adjacent to the airport, triggering an immediate emergency response from multiple agencies.
Recent Tennessee Incident Highlights Pattern
This latest crash follows a similar incident just three weeks prior in Tennessee. A twin-engine propeller plane carrying nearly two dozen skydivers crashed Sunday afternoon near a Tennessee airport, authorities said. Multiple people were injured in the crash, including one critically, authorities said. No deaths were reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration said a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter plane carrying 20 people crashed shortly after departing Tullahoma Regional Airport. The Tennessee incident, like the New Jersey crash, resulted in multiple injuries but fortunately no fatalities.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Both incidents prompted massive emergency responses. Emergency crews, including Tullahoma police and Tennessee Highway Patrol, responded swiftly. Several victims were airlifted to nearby hospitals in the Tennessee case, while the New Jersey crash required similar coordinated emergency medical services.
According to the FAA, 15 people were on board the Cessna 208B when it went off the runway. The FAA has launched an investigation into the New Jersey incident, joining ongoing investigations into multiple skydiving aviation accidents.
Safety Concerns in Skydiving Aviation
The recent spate of skydiving plane crashes has raised questions about aviation safety in the recreational skydiving industry. Beyond aircraft incidents, the skydiving community has also experienced tragic accidents during jumps themselves. Experienced skydiver Jasmine Black died after her parachute struck another jumper’s gear at Skydive-Atlanta, forcing her to cut away her main chute and deploy her emergency parachute.
These incidents highlight the inherent risks in skydiving operations, from aircraft mechanical failures to mid-air collisions during parachute deployment.
Industry Impact and Response
The skydiving industry, which relies heavily on small aircraft for operations, faces scrutiny following these recent incidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of veteran pilot and skydiver Thomas “Tommy” Harvey in a separate Florida incident.
What’s Next
Federal aviation authorities are conducting comprehensive investigations into both the New Jersey and Tennessee crashes. The FAA and NTSB investigations will examine mechanical failures, weather conditions, pilot procedures, and aircraft maintenance records to determine contributing factors.
As the skydiving community processes these recent incidents, operators and regulatory agencies are likely to review safety protocols and aircraft maintenance standards to prevent future accidents. The investigations’ findings may lead to enhanced safety requirements for skydiving operations across the United States.
The skydiving industry’s commitment to safety remains paramount as authorities work to understand the causes behind these recent aviation incidents and implement necessary improvements to protect pilots, instructors, and adventure seekers.