Pilot, passenger identified in Lindenwold plane crash

LINDENWOLD, NJ (WTXF) - Authorities have identified the pilot and passenger who were injured when their small plane crashed in a residential area of Lindenwold, New Jersey on Wednesday,

Wayne Gilchrist, a 66-year-old Marlton resident, and 72-year-old David Misek of Cherry Hill are both in stable condition following the crash.

Gilchrist was piloting the plane at the time of the crash, and according to his passenger, the plane experienced and unknown mechanical issue prior to the crash.

The crash happened in a wooded area behind a house on the 500 block of East Linden Avenue around 1:00 p.m.

Authorities learned about it from a 911 call. It did not hit any homes, cars or people on the ground. It did hit a few trees before ending up on the ground in two pieces: tail and body.

The cockpit was upside down and the fuselage separated.

The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene, and said the plane was a ERCOUPE 415-C aircraft that had taken off from the Flying W Airport in Medford. It's still not known where the plane was supposed to land.

Gilchrist suffered a cut to his face which required a large number of stitches. Misek sustained a broken hip in the impact and is scheduled for surgery.

Gilchrist has not yet been able to speak to investigators, and the plane is expected to be removed from the crash site sometime today.