Disasters · Flying W crashLumberton plane crash: Pilot survives fire after takeoffAired October 24, 2026 at 10:13 AM UTCWritten October 24, 2026 at 10:26 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07A pilot survived a plane crash and fired just beyond the runway.0:11Bystanders rushed to help him escape the burning wreckage, and a helicopter took him0:14to a hospital.0:15Investigators are working to determine why the aircraft went down so soon after0:19takeoff, while his injuries remain unclear.0:22The aircraft crashed into a field north of Flying W Airport's runway in Lumberton,0:26New Jersey.0:27The airport is at 60 Fostertown Road.0:30Police responded near 107 Foster Town Road, a separate location referenced from the0:34airport's street address.0:35The plane had just taken off before crashing Friday, October 23 in Burlington0:40County.0:40It caught fire and the flames destroyed its front.0:43The aircraft broke into several pieces, with burned ground surrounding the wreckage0:47and emergency crews gathering around it.0:49The pilot was the only person aboard the Piper PA-28.0:52Police and the FAA confirmed that single occupant, resolving the earlier uncertainty0:57about how many people were involved.0:59He survived and was airlifted for treatment.1:01Nearby resident Bill Sweeney was tending sheep at his Smiling Dog farm when he1:05noticed the aircraft flying very low.1:08He said he heard sputtering and backfiring.1:10Sweeney began calling 911 as the plane went down, then rushed toward the scene with1:14his wife.1:15A passing driver and another neighbor also came to help.1:18Sweeney said they dragged the injured pilot away as the aircraft caught fire.1:22His wife held the pilot's hand while they tried to keep him calm.1:25Sweeney described the pilot as being in considerable pain and having a bad injury.1:30Emergency crews placed him on a stretcher before the helicopter flight.1:33Police said he was conscious and alert during the response and when he was1:37transported.1:37Lumberton Police Lieutenant Christopher Cheeseman confirmed that the injured pilot1:41had reached the hospital for treatment.1:43The pilot's specific injuries and later condition haven't been made public.1:48Being conscious and alert describes his condition during the rescue and transport.1:52The emergency response temporarily closed Fostertown Road between Main Street, also1:57called County Route 541 and Church Road in Medford.2:01Police asked drivers to use alternate routes.2:03That closure was part of Friday's response.2:06Police were dispatched just after 9 in the morning, while another account places the2:10crash around 9.30.2:12Those times haven't been reconciled.2:14The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff, but the exact crash time remains2:18unclear.2:19The aircraft was registered to Free Flight Aviation, a flight school operating at2:23Flying W.2:24The company hadn't responded to a request for comment by Friday night.2:28The purpose of this flight hasn't been explained.2:30The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating and will handle2:34the wreckage investigation and removal.2:36Sweeney's description of sputtering and backfiring gives investigators a witness2:40account to examine.2:41Investigators haven't determined what caused the crash.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗