Pilot Blamed in 2011 NJ Midair Plane Crash

A federal report blames a fatal midair crash in southern New Jersey last year on a pilot who was approaching an airport where another plane was performing aerobatic maneuvers.

The pilot of the approaching plane died in the Aug. 20, 2011 crash over Hammonton Municipal Airport. The pilot of the other plane, which had just completed a stall and was in a dive, parachuted safely into woods near the airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its report Tuesday.

The report faults the first pilot for failing to see the other plane. It says he knew aerobatics were frequently done over the airport and that a notice had been given to pilots that maneuvers were being performed that day at 3,500 feet and below.

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