Pilot rescued from plane that ended up in tree after missing runway at New Jersey airport

MANVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A pilot was rescued after a small plane missed the runway at a New Jersey airport, went across a road, and ended up in the trees east of the airport around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The plane, a Cessna 172K, landed on treetops 600 feet to the east of Central Jersey Regional Airport in Hillsborough near Wilhowski Street.
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The pilot was inside the single-engine aircraft -- which was suspended 70 feet in the air -- for four hours.

The 33-year-old pilot was removed and safely brought to the ground around 4:00 p.m.

His condition is unknown, but he told first responders that he is OK.
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The pilot, however, said the engine suddenly died.

Officials said the pilot miraculously stayed calm during the entire ordeal.



"The FAA will investigate, and the NTSB will determine probable cause of the accident. We will update this statement when we get new, confirmed information," an FAA spokesperson said in a statement.

NOTE: liveatc.net provided aircraft audio.

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