Faulty fuel filter cause of plane crash fatal to 2

MILLVILLE, N.J. - Federal officials say that a clogged fuel filter likely caused the crash of a small plane in Cumberland County last year.

Pilot William Crean, of Sewell, died when his single-engine Aero L29 Delfin, a former Czech military training jet, crashed into the woods on June 22 shortly after leaving Millville Municipal Airport. Also killed was Crean's passenger, Frederick Gault, of Williamstown.

The National Transportation Safety Board said that the aircraft suffered a total loss of power due to fuel starvation. Fuel drained from the fuel filter was contaminated with black sediment, according to the agency.

Investigators questioned the pilot's preflight inspection process.       - AP