Police Identify Pilot Who Flew Out of Princeton Airport and Died in Franklin Township Crash

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted March 31, 2025

Franklin Township police today identified the name of a pilot who died in a plane crash on Sunday morning.

Police said Pankaj Mohan, 61, of Lawrenceville was flying a small, single-engine plane out of Princeton Airport, when he crashed within Six Mile Run State Park. The FAA reported the plane was in route to Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina

Air traffic control disclosed a loss of communication with the Cirrus SR22 on March 30, at 11:26 am. The plane was reported to be in the vicinity of South Middlebush Road and Jacques Lane.

Example of a Cirrus SR22 single-engine plane, similar to the one that crashed in Six Mile State Park in Franklin Township on Sunday morning. (Photo source cirrusaircraft.com.)

Franklin Township police responded to the emergency call, which prompted a coordinated response and investigation by the NJ State Park Police, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the ongoing investigation.

In response to the emergency, New Jersey State Police launched an aerial search, while the Millstone Valley Fire Department deployed a drone to assist in locating the aircraft on Sunday.

At 1:22 pm, the FAA provided additional details that led to the discovery of the aircraft in a brushy area near South Middlebush Lane and Hilltop Lane, according to Franklin police. Emergency personnel from the FTPD and MVFD confirmed the presence of one occupant inside the wreckage.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Mohan during this incredibly difficult time,” Franklin Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective William Poling at 732.873.5533, extension 3227, or via email at william.poling@franklinnj.gov.