Small plane crashes on New Jersey rec field; 2 aboard hurt

CRESSKILL, N.J. -- Authorities say a small plane has crashed on a recreation field in New Jersey just hours before kids' sports practices were set to begin, injuring the two people aboard.

The crash involving the single-engine 1978 Cessna Skyhawk happened late Thursday afternoon at Regan Field behind a swim club.

According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the plane's occupants are part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They were seriously injured.

Cresskill Police Chief Ed Wrixon tells The Record that the two were surveying the Hudson River when they encountered problems and radioed air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport.

The pilot tried to land in the river but instead came down about 2 miles west of there.

Wrixon says the cause of the crash is not clear.