The single-engine Cessna172 was attempting to land at the Old Bridge Airport in Englishtown when it crashed around 4:45 p.m., FAA spokeswoman Marcia Adams said.
The 18-year-old student pilot and sole occupant was able to escape just before the aircraft went up in flames, NJ Advance Media reports citing local police.
Developing and unconfirmed reports say the plane went up in flames in the crash and that the pilot was able to escape.
Earlier this month, a major NYC tech company founder who went to space with William Shatner and an Essex County flight school owner died in a Sussex County plane crash.
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