On Friday, June 14, 2024, at approximately 12:52 PM, emergency responders were alerted to a crash involving what was initially described as a Cessna aircraft on the 1200 block of Caldwell Corner Road in Townsend. Initial reports indicated that a person inside the aircraft was attempting self-extrication.
Upon arrival, crews confirmed the pilot was trapped and that the plane was full of fuel, raising concerns about a potential fire hazard. At around 1:05 PM, Command on the scene reported that the pilot appeared to be uninjured. By 1:10 PM, emergency responders successfully extricated the pilot from the aircraft.
Shortly after the extrication, Trooper 4, which was already airborne and circling the scene, was requested to land for transport. At approximately 1:24 PM, Trooper 4 lifted off en route to Christiana Hospital with the pilot with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The Delaware State Police issued a statement confirming the crash and reporting one injury. They are currently on the scene, providing medical assistance and cooperating with federal investigators to determine the cause of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
Initial reports indicate that the plane, not believed to be a Cessna, took off at 12:27 from the Delaware Airpark north of Dover and crash landed just over twenty minutes into the flight.