Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire

The pilot killed in a plane crash near Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Township has been identified, authorities said.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service (file photo).
Photo Credit: *New Jersey Forest Fire Service*

Jon Craig

09/06/2023 9:16 a.m.

Oscar Molina, 61, of Long Brach was killed when his Cirrus SR20 crashed at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 near the Ocean County airpark, Lacey police said. He was the only person aboard the plane.

Authorities discovered the crash while investigating what grew into an 831-acre wildfire that broke out in the area of Dover and West Lacey roads shortly before midnight Saturday,

As firefighters responded to the blaze Sunday, the plane was found, Lacey police said.

The wildfire was 100% contained as of Tuesday morning.

Investigators have concluded the plane crash caused the wildfire, they said on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate the plane crash.

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