A Chappaqua, N.Y., couple were unhurt Saturday when their small plane on takeoff hit a chain-link fence next to the runway at Central Jersey Regional Airport on Millstone River Road, according to Hillsborough police.
Police said they received a call at about 2:50 p.m. of an airplane crash at the west end of the airport, which is on the Manville border. Police said they found a four-seat 1993 Mooney M20M propeller-driven plane with minor damage to a wing and the pilot, Ross Cole, 53, and passenger, Pamela Cole, 54, of Chappaqua out of the plane and uninjured.
Police said Mr. Ross told them that the couple was flying from New York to Pennsylvania and stopped to refuel. Afterwards, they took off in a westerly direction, but, after gaining minimal altitude, police said, the plane’s left wing hit the fence adjacent to the runway.
Police said the pilot conducted a controlled emergency landing and brought the plane to rest about 1,500 feet from the end of the runway, police said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is assisting with the investigation, police said.
Responding to the scene were township rescue squad, fire company and emergency management office.
