Lacey fire: Long Branch pilot killed in small plane crash in identified
LACEY - Authorities have identified the Long Branch pilot who died in the single-engine airplane crash over the weekend in Lacey Township.
Oscar Molina, 61, was killed in the crash near Robert J. Miller Airpark on Saturday evening, according to Lacey Police.
Though police responded to the scene shortly before midnight on Saturday, authorities could not immediately reach the scene of the airplane crash due to smoke and fire in the area, as well as the difficult terrain, Lacey police said. Sunday afternoon, authorities were able to get to the scene, where it was confirmed that the pilot was deceased.
Mike Tasos, a coworker and friend of Molina's, said the news of his death was a complete shock.
"He was about as good a guy as you'll ever meet," Tasos said. "He was very, very special."
The crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, police said.
The crash led to a wildfire that hit 883 acres, but the state Forest Fire Service said it was fully contained by Tuesday.
Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lacey wildfire: Pilot ID'd in NJ plane crash at Miller Air Park fire
