Authorities say the pilot of a small plane that crashed in a New Jersey neighborhood encountered mechanical issues just before it went down.

But federal officials are still probing the crash that occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday in Bayonne.

Authorities say the 56-year-old pilot, George Pettway, was alone in the Piper PA-28. The Long Island, New York man suffered a broken left forearm, several broken ribs and numerous contusions and abrasions.

The plane had departed from an airport in East Farmingdale, New York earlier Sunday. Authorities say Pettway encountered the issues while flying near the Statue of Liberty and was making a detour when he crashed not far from a gas station

No one on the ground was injured. But the plane mangled power lines and damaged parked vehicles.

(AP)