Warren Grove, NJ – Authorities responded to a distress signal from an unidentified aircraft east of Warren Grove on Tuesday around 3:15 P.M. Various agencies carried out a comprehensive search of the area utilizing helicopters, drones, ATV’s, officers on foot, and forest fire vehicles. While no confirmation of a crash was ever received, and evidence of such an incident was not found, investigations into the cause of the signal are ongoing.
According to the Barnegat Police Department:
Early, This afternoon, Stafford Police dispatch received a report from Joint Base McGuire indicating the reception of a single Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal in the area of western Barnegat. McGuire officials promptly reached out to Atlantic City Airport, but no ELT signal was detected there at the time.
In response to the lone signal, emergency units swiftly mobilized, saturating the area with off-road vehicles, fire apparatus, drones, helicopters, and officers on foot. Despite extensive search efforts, no evidence of an aircraft in distress was found.
The source of the ELT signal remains unidentified, and no further reports of a downed plane or overdue aircraft have been received.