NEW GARDEN — Two people were hurt when the vintage aircraft they were taking off in suddenly lost power, as they tried to return to the field and clipped a hanger in the process.
The two individuals — aged 68 and 70 — were said to have suffered non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Christiana Hospital for treatment. Their names were not released as authorities sought to contact relatives.
The plane, a 1940s Aeronica Champion, a two-seat general aviation craft very popular in the post World War II era and has been in production on and off ever since — took off northbound from the field’s runway. Almost immediately the plane lost power and the pilot attempted to return to the field. While turning, the plane struck the east side of a hanger, crashing through the side of the building, where the craft came to rest. Township police said that no one was in the building at the time.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
