Press Release from Franklin Twp. PD 1/11/2021
On Monday, January 11, 2021 at 12:54 pm Franklin Township Police was dispatched to the area of Tuckahoe Rd. and Harding Hwy. for a report of a downed aircraft. Police arrived on scene and located a single engine, ultra light aircraft that had crashed in a wooded area approximately 1/4 of a mile North of the intersection. Police were able to locate the pilot underneath the aircraft, however he was pronounced deceased on scene. The aircraft was reported to have taken off in the area of Union Road at a private residence in Vineland, NJ. The pilot was identified as 64 year old Gerard Asselta of Vineland. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft in the area of Downstown Airport before crashing into the wooded area, however it is unknown if the aircraft was trying to land at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation and the cause of the crash is pending the outcome of that investigation. Assisting at the scene was the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Forest Grove Fire Department, and New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Any additional questions can be referred to Lt. Matthew DeCesari of the Franklin Township Police Department by contacting 856-694-1415 ext. 212.
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