Pilot identified in fatal NJ plane crash

FRANKLIN (Somerset) – A Mercer County man has been identified as the pilot of a small aircraft that fatally crashed Sunday near South Middlebush Road.

Pankaj Mohan, 61, of Lawrenceville, was pronounced dead at the scene, said Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Mohan during this incredibly difficult time,” Maeweather said.

Franklin police received an emergency call about 11:26 a.m. Sunday from air traffic control about the loss of communications with a single-engine plane flying over Franklin. The plane was last known to be in the area of South Middlebush Road and Jacques Lane.

New Jersey State Police launched an aerial search while the Millstone Valley Fire Department deployed a drone to assist in locating the aircraft.

Around 1:22 p.m. the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided information that led to the discovery of the plane in a brushy area near South Middlebush Road and Hilltop Lane. Emergency personnel from the police and fire departments found the body of one person inside the wreckage.

The crash site was determined to be within Six Mile Run State Park, prompting a coordinated response and investigation by the New Jersey State Park Police, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the FAA, and the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective William Poling at 732-873-5533, ext. 3227, or via email at william.poling@franklinnj.gov.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ pilot identified in single-engine plane crash