'Unusual' Sound Reported In South Jersey Plane Crash That Killed Father, Son: Feds

CUMBERLAND COUNTY — Witnesses to the fatal plane crash last month that claimed the lives of a father and son told federal investigators that the plane’s engine sounded “unusual” and took off at a steep angle.

The single-engine plane, a Champion Aeronca 7AC airplane operated by pilot Kristofer Noone, 24, of Pennsauken, and his father, John Noone III, 67, of Elmer, ultimately crashed eight nautical miles from Bucks Airport onto a residential property near Bridgeton on Sept. 19, according to a National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Preliminary Report obtained by the Star Ledger.

One witness cited in the report noticed that the Noone’s airplane sounded “unusual” as the airplane “aggressively pulled up” in a steep angle climb during liftoff from the end of the runway. While the aircraft cleared power lines, the engine “did not sound like it was accelerating or generating full power,” according to the report.

Instead of climbing further into the air, the plane rolled onto its left side and descended behind trees, the witness said.

Another witness told federal investigators the airplane “entered a steep angle-of-attack” before leveling out. The witness lost sight of the plane after it rolled left.

No abnormalities were reported during an inspection of instruments, the engine or fuel after the crash, authorities said.

The airplane was kept for further examination, federal investigators said.