Crash involving small airplane under investigation by DE state troopers

LAUREL, DE - The Federal Aviation Administration is now investigating a crash involving a small airplane late Saturday morning in Laurel.

Delaware State Police initially reported that the incident occurred at approximately 10:34 a.m., as Justin Hoffman, 39, of Middletown, DE, was flying a Grumman G-164B Bi-Wing Crop Duster and was spraying watermelon fields in the area of East Trap Pond Road and Johnson Road, Laurel.

After making a spray run the engine to the plane lost power and Hoffman attempted to make an emergency landing in an adjacent corn field, according to police.

As Hoffman landed the plane in the soft soil, the nose of the aircraft dug into the ground causing the aircraft to roll onto its roof.

Hoffman, who was the sole occupant of the plane, was able to walk away with only minor injuries.