The pilot of a small plane that crash-landed in a Cresskill field Thursday made the split-second decision to avoid a Tenafly school field
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary pilot Yakov Rosenberg was seriously injured in a crash-landing in Cresskill Sept. 3, 2015, officials said. (Courtesy of Mayer Berger) HACKENSACK -- The pilot of a small plane that crash-landed in a Cresskill field Thursday made the split-second decision to avoid a Tenafly school field, he said to the Record.
Two Tenafly High school cross-country runners who were in the field visited Jack Rosenberg Monday at Hackensack University Medical Center to thank him.
Rosenberg and Erik Pearson, who was aboard the Cessna 172 as an observer, waved and shouted at the kids to get out of the way, but couldn't be heard. Rosenberg won't be able to put weight on his legs for three months, but said he was eager to fly again.
Rosenberg, flying a volunteer patrol for the U.S. Coast Guard, reported engine trouble before crash-landing, according to radio transmissions. He and Pearson both suffered serious injuries, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Rosenberg has served with the Coast Guard since 2005. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
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