# NTSB ERA26LA096: American General Acft AG5B, N59WM, Fairfield, NJ, January 15, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 15, 2026, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, NJ · Tree on Approach to Runway 28 @ CDW - Coordinates: 40.8752, -74.2814 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026 - 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): 202323 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202323/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA096 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in gusting wind conditions, resulting in an impact with trees prior to the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [American General Acft AG5B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3990100), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported being on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern when a 16 to 24-knot tailwind pushed the airplane further from the runway than he had planned. While on final approach, the airplane was low with a headwind. Following a momentary wind shift, the airplane lost more altitude and it struck the tops of trees resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Despite the impact, the pilot was able to clear the trees and land safely on the runway. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59WM), registered now, S/N 10037, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN GENERAL ACFT CORP AG5B - Registry model: [American General Acft AG5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-general-acft-ag5b) (registry code 3990100) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10037 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 4140 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hudson River Wings LLC - Registered owner: Hudson River Wings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2025, 116 hours before - Departed: N07, Lincoln Park, NJ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 28, 3,719 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 29, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 257 total, 90 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.52 inHg - Observed at: CDW - METAR: METAR KCDW 152153Z 28012G22KT 10SM CLR M01/M13 A2952 RMK AO2 SLP001 T10111133 ## 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 20260115002379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260115002379A), Jan 15, 2026: American General Acft Corp AG5B, Fairfield, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot was setting up to land runway 28. Aircraft struck trees on final approach to runway 28, resulting in substantial damage to the aircrafts left wing, right… 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.