Pilot who landed plane on Coast Guard beach surrenders

CAPE MAY, N.J. – The man who authorities say was piloting a single-engine plane that illegally landed on a Coast Guard beach in New Jersey has turned himself in.

Cape May County prosecutors say Jimmy Dahlen Jr. contacted them Wednesday. The 50-year-old Cape May Court House man is charged with criminal trespass, and could face more counts.

Dahlen is a mechanic for Paramount Air Services, the banner plane company that owns the Piper PA12. The company’s president — who is also Dahlen’s stepmother — has said he stole the plane Sunday night, though it’s not clear why.

The plane landed on the beach of the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May around 8 p.m. Sunday. But authorities say Dahlen — who is a student pilot — fled the scene.

The plane wasn’t damaged.

It wasn’t known Wednesday if Dahlen has retained an attorney.