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Plane on loan to Bergen Prosecutor's Office lands on Route 80 in Hackensack Monday, January 31, 2011 Last updated: Monday January 31, 2011, 9:28 PM
BY JEAN RIMBACH, NICK CLUNN, ERIK SHILLING AND KIBRET MARKOS
The Record
STAFF WRITERS
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A small plane on loan to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office made an emergency landing on Route 80 Monday, surprising drivers and other observers as it taxied down the eastbound express lanes near exit 66.
There were no reports of injuries in the afternoon mishap involving the white Tecnam P92 Eaglet, which had a certified flight instructor at the controls and a detective with the prosecutor’s office on board. The two were on a “training mission,” according to Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli, when the pilot decided to undertake what he termed “a controlled landing” because of water in the fuel line.
Molinelli said pilot James Mancini, “chose to bring it down because he was not certain that he would be able to return it to the airport.” The prosecutor said the plane was “under power” at the time.
Just after 3 p.m. the plane with the Bergen County seal on its tail could be seen sitting in the right lane of the express lanes as it was hoisted onto a flatbed truck. It was driven away at about 4 p.m. with a state police escort, leaving the highway at Exit 65.
The single engine plane is registered to the Sheriff’s Association of Texas. A spokesman for the association said it is owned by the Department of Justice and on loan to the prosecutor as “a cooperative lower-cost aviation asset for law enforcement.” Molinelli said his office acquired the plane and became part of the DOJ program about two years ago.
The light sport aircraft was en route to Teterboro Airport when the pilot reported a “rough-running engine” to controllers, said FAA spokesperson Arlene Salac. She said the agency’s Flight Standards District Office in Teterboro will investigate the cause of the emergency landing.
“They will interview the pilot and inspect the aircraft to see what type of mechanical problem may have led to the rough-running engine,” she said. A report will be issued when the investigation is completed, she said.
State Police from the Totowa barracks closed down the two eastbound express lanes after getting a call from Teterboro Airport that the plane was gong to land on Route 80, said State Police Sgt. Julian Castellanos.
“It worked out well,” he added.
Drivers and other witnesses in nearby buildings did a double take as the plane rolled down the highway and came to rest.
Mary Ellen Flaherty of Franklin Lakes was heading home on Route 80 westbound when she looked to the left and saw the plane moving down the highway’s express lanes in the opposite direction.
“I was day dreaming and just from my peripheral vision I saw the wing of a plane,” said Flaherty, who was heading home after applying for a passport at the courthouse. “I though it was a truck with a wing.”
Flaherty said that as she passed the plane, she and other drivers slowed to try and see what had happened. With no crash and no fire, she figured it landed safely.
Jim Plavin, manager of Projection Design, a company that sells projectors for flight simulators, said he was sitting in his office overlooking Route 80 when he saw a small plane pass by among cars on the eastbound lanes.
“All I see from here is the fuselage, so I am thinking some idiot has the plane on a truck,” he said. “I didn’t know it was an emergency landing in progress.”
About 20 minutes later, the area was flooded with police and emergency vehicles, he said.
The good news is that nobody got hurt,” he said. “I am sure there were some scary moments for whoever was behind the stick.”
Plavin, whose office is on North Street in Teterboro, said he often sees a lot of aircraft traffic from his office.
“But usually it’s in the air,” he said. “I bet I could sit here for another 25 years and not see this again.”
The plane has been in use as a law enforcement and homeland security resource since the county prosecutor’s office was recruited by the justice department to be part of the aviation program.
It’s been put to use both in and outside the county for “a lot of major crime investigations,” and has assisted, for example, in violent crimes and tracking missing persons. Law enforcement officials in the county know when the plane is in operation, the prosecutor said, and how to contact it. When an incident occurs on the ground, such as a bank robbery “they can contact the plane immediately,” he explained.
“This plane has been enormously successful over the last two years in assisting law enforcement in North Jersey,” he added.
Molinelli said the plane goes up most days, weather permitting. He said it's very economical, runs on automobile fuel, and costs about $50 an hour to operate - manpower included. He said forfeiture funds and not taxpayer dollars pay for its operation.
Mancini, a retired commercial airline pilot, is a part-time employee with the prosecutor’s office, who Molinelli said he brought in as a flight safety instructor when the office acquired the plane from the justice department and began the program. He said he also has detectives with the office who are pilots.
The prosecutor said his office’s time in the program is winding down, and he believes the plane is set to be returned in April. He said he looked in to buying a slightly larger plane – a twin engine – with seized assets but in recent weeks decided against it.
“Based upon today’s climate, the economy, I opted not to do it,” he said.
The sheriff’s association spokesman said the association was notified of the emergency landing by the prosecutors office at around 3:20 p.m. In addition to the state police, Port Authority Police and other officers were at the scene.
Staff Writers Shawn Boburg and Marlene Naanes contributed to this article.
E-mail: rimbach@northjersey.com, clunn@northjersey.com, Shilling@northjersey.com and markos@northjersey.com
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Reader Comments (49) Reminder: Our comments section is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please report comments that violate the terms of service.1. Tuesday February 1, 2011, 6:17 AM - nomorenjcorruption says:
I don't think the negative reaction would be the same if it were a helicopter. Plane is a complete joke. Has no useful purpose.
2. Tuesday February 1, 2011, 1:42 AM - DreadPirateRoberts says:
Morons... almost every last one of you. Pay attention to the story. The plane was a law enforcement tool (not a private jet) and WAS NOT paid for by the Prosecutor's Office or BC taxpayer money. A little bit of research will show that the fuel costs and maintenance are minimal. We should be praising this pilot for his quick thinking and thanking God that no one got hurt. For those of you who don't think that Bergen County crime warrants this type of necessity, I suggest you spend one day at the Courthouse watching some trials. The Governor would be wise to reappoint someone with as much guts and guile as Molinelli. And for your information the Prosecutors Office is a Constitutional Office, and as the County Executive, Kathe Donovan doesn't have the authority to direct it to do anything...
3. Tuesday February 1, 2011, 1:33 AM - policywonkette says:
Helicopter is much more versatile, can land almost anywhere in a vertical descent, any baseball field, any parking lot. A plane is just dumb, dangerous and largely unnecessary. Wasted tax dollars at the county level.
4. Monday January 31, 2011, 10:55 PM - cleanuphackensack says:
I guess Donovan needs to call the Prosecutor on the carpet
5. Monday January 31, 2011, 10:53 PM - photostation says:
The plane is a DoJ plane registered to a law enforcement agency in TX, on loan to the BCPO. That being said, it is one of the lowest costing aircraft to operate (about $36/hour for the fuel compared to a helicopter which can run upwards of $1,500/hr.). All Bergen County taxpayers shell out for (one can assume) is the fuel, storage, insurance and maintenance. Since it is an U.S. Gov't-owned plane it is not charged for landing fees...However, the Civil Air Patrol/USAF Auxiliary can help any municipality with professionally trained VOLUNTEER pilots and flight crew for a fraction of the above costs.
6. Monday January 31, 2011, 10:02 PM - Firelock says:
You know, now that I think about it maybe police planes aren't a bad idea. Just think, how about a squadron of P-51 "Mustangs" based at Teterboro. There's still quite a few around and shouldn't be too expensive to buy. Then instead of high-speed chasing the bad guys down the highways they can just "roll in hot" and strafe 'em! Yeah, turn a few dirtbags cars into twisted balls of flaming wreckage and they'll get the idea! And while we're at it, how about some 105mm howitzers. Instead of raiding a drug den they can drop a few shells on it from a safe distance! You could probably get a few tanks too, but then the chiefs will probably start packing ivory handled revolvers and who knows where THAT could lead to? Wow, I'd better stop....
7. Monday January 31, 2011, 9:24 PM - Sparky says:
This plane is for drug interdiction at the border. Wait a second, that is for the DEA. The plane is so they can fly over Teaneck and look for marijuana farms. Can't do that from the ground. Wait a second. Yes you can. The plane is for transporting prisoners. Wait a second, that's what the US Marshall's are for. The plane must be for getting to Fantasy Island. Yeah, that's the ticket, Fantasy Island.
8. Monday January 31, 2011, 9:14 PM - wethepeople says:
Did he have AAA for that tow?
9. Monday January 31, 2011, 9:02 PM - Caranina says:
Why shouldn't they have a plane, and whatever other technology is available to them in an effort to solve crime.
10. Monday January 31, 2011, 8:47 PM - c4vetteking says:
a plane!!!! must be checking up on all the criminal activity going on in bergen county!!! what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11. Monday January 31, 2011, 8:33 PM - nomorenjcorruption says:
Dear Governor Christie, You need to get rid of all of the county prosecutor's offices and put them under the control of the attorney general. This plane is a clear cut example of how taxpayer's money is being inappropriately used. I'm sorry to say it, but this plane making an emergency landing is a good thing. Taxpayers are waking up to the wasteful spending at the Prosecutor's office. This agency needs some financial oversight.
12. Monday January 31, 2011, 8:13 PM - nomorenjcorruption says:
Record- You should file an OPRA request and find out how much this plane costs to operate. Pilots salary, fuel, etc.
13. Monday January 31, 2011, 8:10 PM - nomorenjcorruption says:
The two biggest jokes in the Bergen County Law Enforcement community are the Prosecutor's Office plane and the appointment of the Palisades Park Chief. This plane is a complete waste of money. Cops are being laid off and the Prosecutor's Office has the nerve to fly around in this useless plane. How many criminals have been apprehended because of this plane? I betcha the answer is a big goose egg.
14. Monday January 31, 2011, 7:59 PM - NJSUKS says:
I would rather see the prosecutors office utilize a hot air balloon for cost efficiency! After all, the county is full of hot air!
15. Monday January 31, 2011, 7:57 PM - Braniff says:
If anyone is interested, you can hear the conversation between Teterboro Tower and the plane, callsign "Bergen1" on LiveATC here:
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/kteb/KTEB-Jan-31-2011-1930Z.mp3 Start listening at around 12 minutes in.
16. Monday January 31, 2011, 7:45 PM - If you're thinking of living in says:
The prosecuters office has to answer the basic questions here. Why do they need a light plane? It seems to me nothing more than a luxury item. I guess the trips to Trenton and Atlantic City are too long to require that they drive.
17. Monday January 31, 2011, 7:40 PM - PaigeAve says:
Can't believe Republican Gov. Christie approved this as Prosecutors boss, then again when he was US Attorney, he only stayed at the best- the Four Seasons (and Michele Brown) and he did say he would do the same as Governor, spare no expense for Prosecution, especially political prosecution. Way to go Republicans!!! make sure you cut the schools more too....
18. Monday January 31, 2011, 7:15 PM - jaysee73 says:
Gee, they were only a few blocks from the office... ever notice, "law enforcement" has an open checkbook for whatever they want.
19. Monday January 31, 2011, 6:28 PM - boss09 says:
u guys r fags first of all the chief was not on the plane nor the proscutor u guys r sick wat if someone was hurt would u still be laughing the people at that office are good people but who cares if people get hurt all people care bout is ur money
20. Monday January 31, 2011, 6:19 PM - knightime says:
Some one should cut his budget. Everyome else has to tighten their belts but Molinelli. Gov. Christie when are you going to remove this guy?
21. Monday January 31, 2011, 6:11 PM - freedomradio says:
Thank Christie for your tax dollars at work.
22. Monday January 31, 2011, 6:10 PM - freedomradio says:
Sure the Justice Department needs the plane for drug trafficking. That's why there were so many police there for one plane. To make sure nobody got close enough to investigate. This is classic corruption at its best. God forbid you have a flat on the highway or breakdown and need an officer's help.
23. Monday January 31, 2011, 6:04 PM - ROTORMAN says:
Good landing, especially in 55mph traffic! Have to hand it to the guy. Now the good stuff begins with all the questions. I don't envy him.
24. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:59 PM - hillman says:
So, it's registered to Texas sheriffs, owned by the DOJ and used by the Bergen county Prosecuter. Sounds alot like money laundering schemes. Can anyone say RICO? I mean, ok, I understand this is a huge county and a plane would help get across it but the apparent only places to land are Rt. 80 and maybe the Darlington golf course. Or does Molinelli parachute when he gets to his destination? Menendez, Lautenburg, maybe it's time to ask DOJ how many of these things are on loan and to whom?
25. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:48 PM - klecko says:
I'm not surprised. I'm sure all 687 Bergen County police chiefs have there own planes too. What a joke this county, state and country have become. China is going to blow past the USA in the next decade.
26. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:43 PM - Firelock says:
Oh brother, I'm not going in here. Still, any landing you can walk away from...
27. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:36 PM - judchandle says:
Three writers to go through the ownership,registration,and possession details. Did anybody ask what the mission of the plane was at the time?
28. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:28 PM - JavaDog says:
"What about a submarine for patrolling the Hackensack River" They already have a submarine in the Hackensack River - The USS Ling. HMMMMM - I wonder.....
29. Monday January 31, 2011, 5:17 PM - mikefrmnj says:
Who cares who owns it. The real cost is fuel and maintenance. duh
30. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:47 PM - observer106 says:
What a joke they should use the extra money to catch all the dirty cops in Bergen County instead they fly all over the state. How long have they had this plane?? another dirty secret is out. This county is going down the tubes FAST.
31. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:37 PM - LoveBug says:
"The plane is registered to the Sheriff’s Association of Texas. A spokesman for the association said the plane is owned by the Department of Justice and was loaned to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office through as “a cooperative lower-cost aviation asset for law enforcement.”....."currently assists the BCPO in its homeland security and safety efforts in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, which owns the plane"
32. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:32 PM - retiredhpd says:
The prosecutor's a big shot, that's how he rolls-gangsta style. Stealin from the tax payer. Whatever they're investagating can't cover the cost let alone the fuel.
33. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:31 PM - brett7011 says:
Monday January 31, 2011, 3:50 PM - fuhgedaboutit says: BCPO ... an airplane? for what purpose? The craft was operated by a certified flight instructor and flight safety officer who is a retired commercial airline pilot and currently assists the BCPO in its homeland security and safety efforts in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, which owns the plane,” Molinelli said.
34. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:26 PM - Lettesgo says:
Why doesn't this surprise me...Not much does anymore. (well, a submarine might have)lol!
35. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:21 PM - PistolPeter says:
Boys and their toys
36. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:15 PM - Daniel S. Levine says:
Thank god no one was hurt. Sounds like the pilot really knew his stuff since the report here says no one was injured. I work right next to Teterboro and take this highway everyday to and from work.
37. Monday January 31, 2011, 4:08 PM - lawboy444 says:
Do the county police and the sheriffs’ office know about this? I’m sure the will be getting aircraft also. What about a submarine for patrolling the Hackensack River or maybe we can purchase a surplus aircraft carrier. Gov. Christie please stop this madness! Get rid of Molinelli!
38. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:58 PM - Bill__4098 says:
To fuhgedaboutit: They need a plane so they can fly out to where the BCPO yacht is anchored. Not for nothing - how much of tax dollars are being shoveled into nonsense like this. Sure it's owned by the DoJ - but what the hell does the prosecutor's office need with aerial surviellance or whatever they will claim it's for. More money dumped in black holes....
39. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:57 PM - Pat__8053 says:
Like the above comments, I, too, would like to know the details of why the County has a plane. Yes, the article says it is on loan - but still...for what purpose? is there a fee for this loan? I thought we were trying to cut back on expenses. Ms. Donovan - please get on top of this and inform the County residents!!!
40. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:56 PM - Aphex Twin says:
Thank God Chris Christie is here to save us from wasteful spending.
41. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:55 PM - volunteer says:
Just another example of why it's so awful to have this kind of airport smack in the middle of this densely populated area.
42. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:54 PM - 1234 says:
The Bergen County Air Force? This is insanity!
43. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:52 PM - John1942 says:
Why does the Bergen County prosecutor have a plane?
44. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:50 PM - fuhgedaboutit says:
BCPO ... an airplane? for what purpose?
45. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:39 PM - TTC says:
wait a minute, the bergen county prosecutor's office owns a plane? what the hell for? and at who's expense?
46. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:33 PM - royallen says:
Did he get a parking ticket?
47. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:33 PM - royallen says:
Look,up in the air,it's a bird, no it's a plane,no it's the Bergen County Prosecutor...........
48. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:31 PM - geodesicdome2 says:
Certainly something you don't see every day. Indeed, good thing nobody was hurt.
49. Monday January 31, 2011, 3:27 PM - Miss X says:
ROFLMAO! But thank Goddess no one was hurt.
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