# NTSB ERA25LA081: Cessna 172, N12194, Lakewood, NJ, December 19, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 19, 2024, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lakewood, NJ - Coordinates: 40.067182, -74.176655 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0672&lon=-74.1767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199452/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199452 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delay in performing a go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees at the end of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew uneventfully over the local area and was returning to the departure airport. He was attempting to land on a 2,987-ft-long runway with a 9-knot right-quartering crosswind. The airplane was high during the first approach and the pilot performed a go-around. During the second approach, the airplane was high again and fast. The pilot attempted a slip, but the airplane was still fast and floated longer above the runway than anticipated. The pilot initiated a second go-around but was too far down the runway and was unable to clear trees at the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and the ground. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12194](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12194), registered now, S/N 17261875, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17261875 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 6800 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2024, 30 hours before - Airport: N12, Lakewood, runway 24, 2,987 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 6, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 255 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: BLM, 7 nm away - METAR: KBLM 192056Z AUTO 32010KT 10SM CLR 06/M03 A3028 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20241219018619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241219018619A), Dec 19, 2024: Cessna 172M, Lakewood, NJ, Substantial damage. A private pilot with two passengers was returning to Lakewood Airport (N12) after flying in the local area. On his first approach to runway 24, the pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199452. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18150270&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA records of conversation (witness statements) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18157149&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20ROCs-Rel.pdf - Investigation photograph (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18149574&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photograph-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18150318&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.