Family of 2 men killed in 2022 plane crash asks police for info to aid lawsuit
UPPER DEERFIELD TWP. — The family of two men killed in the crash of a small plane here is counting on New Jersey State Police investigative records to help shape an anticipated lawsuit in state court.
The September 2022 accident killed Kristofer Noone, 24, of Pennsauken and his father, John C. “Moose” Noone III, 67, of Elmer.
Their single-engine plane took off on a personal trip from Bucks Airport near Parvins Mill Road, immediately experienced difficulties, and crashed shortly before 2 p.m. The Champion Aeronca 7AC came down on the front lawn of a nearby house.
A witness saw the plane was flying three or four feet above the runway when it "aggressively pulled up" at a steep angle, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The plane did not appear to climb, then descended, turned left and rolled onto its left side before crashing behind trees, it said.
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Obituaries said both men died doing what they loved most: flying.
Kristofer Noone worked as a flight instructor and a commercial pilot, most recently for Spirit Airlines, his obituary said.
"Aviation was not only his profession, but also his most enjoyable hobby and love," it observed.
"Kris absolutely loved flying the Airbus and (it) was his proudest achievement," the obituary added.
John Noone, formerly of Palmyra and Pennsauken, "was an accomplished commercial pilot and mechanic," his obituary said.
It noted the crash victims and a third relative had recently opened a hangar facility at Bucks Airport.
A Salem County Superior Court judge has approved a request from family attorney John J. Gagliano to send a subpoena to state police for their records.
Gagliano declined comment on Monday. He is an aviation law specialist in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
State police routinely require a subpoena before releasing records for use in a lawsuit. A spokesman in Trenton on Monday was checking on the status of the records but could not comment immediately.
In his May 15 court filing, Gagliano says any litigation would seek money damages under New Jersey’s wrongful death law and/or its survivors law. Reports, photographs, and video would be used to identify potential defendants, the filing states.
The court filing includes a statement from Upper Pittsgrove resident John C. Noone IV, the brother and son of the victims.
He states that troopers at the crash scene told him dozens of photos, video from surveillance cameras, and witness statements had been taken.
State police involvement actually was relatively brief before the National Transportation Safety Board officially took over. The NTSB kept the plane for investigation.
Staff writer Jim Walsh contributed to this story.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Family of 2022 plane crash victims asks for N.J. State Police reports
