Pilot, wife escape injury when small plane crashes at Essex County Airport in New Jersey

FAIRFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A small plane crashed while attempting a landing at an airport in New Jersey Sunday afternoon but a New York City couple on board escaped without injury, authorities say.

At about 12:15 p.m., the Fairfield Police Department received a call from the operations tower at the Essex County Airport reporting a plane crash having just occurred.

Police say a preliminary investigation indicated that the 1985 Beech F33A fixed wing, single engine plane was being piloted by Tal Kienan, 4j6, of New York City.

He was attempting to land on Runway 10 when it is believed that the plane may have clipped a tree on its approach.

Kienan and his wife, whose name was not released, were the only people on board and refused medical attention at the scene, police said.

The pilot told police he had experienced some engine problems upon his approach.

The airport and its runways were closed while authorities investigated the crash.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)