Small plane crashes while trying to land at NJ airport

Police say a small plane crashed Sunday while attempting to land at Essex County Airport.

According to Fairfield police, authorities were alerted to the crash by the airport's operations tower at about 12:15 p.m. Authorities say the 1985 Beech F33A fixed wing, single engine plane was being piloted by 46-year-old Tal Kienan of New York when it crash-landed, just off Runway #10 at Essex County Airport.

Local police, fire and emergency medical crews responded to the scene, where police say the plane was occupied by two people including the pilot. Both were uninjured and refused medical transport.

Following a preliminary investigation, authorities believe the plane "may have clipped a tree on its approach. After the crash, the pilot reported having experienced some engine problems upon his approach," police said in a statement Sunday.

The crash remains under investigation.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.