# NTSB NYC07LA160: Cessna Ector 305A, N12633, Berkeley Townsh, NJ, July 7, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2007, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Berkeley Townsh, NJ - Coordinates: 40.298526, -74.521881 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2985&lon=-74.5219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA160 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot was towing a banner at an altitude of 500 feet, when the engine abruptly lost power. She released the banner, and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a beach. During the landing, the airplane's left landing gear separated, and the airframe was distorted. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel samples taken from both fuel tanks and the fuel supply line to the carburetor were absent of contamination. A postaccident test run of the engine, and subsequent teardown of the carburetor, did not reveal any discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2007, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna Ector 305A, N12633, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power, while in cruise flight near Berkeley Township, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Lakewood Airport, Lakewood, New Jersey. The local banner tow flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that she was towing a banner at an altitude of 500 feet, when the engine abruptly lost power. She released the banner, applied carburetor heat, and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a beach. During the landing, the airplane's left landing gear separated, and the airframe was distorted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders, and both magnetos produced spark through their respective ignition leads. Fuel samples taken from both fuel tanks and the fuel supply line to the carburetor were absent of contamination. The engine was test run on July 17, 2007, with no discrepancies noted. In addition, a subsequent teardown of the carburetor did not reveal any abnormalities. The airplane had been operated for about 18 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 2 weeks prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12633](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12633), registered now, S/N 2015, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna Ector 305A - Registry model: [Cessna Ector 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-ector-305a) (registry code 2073902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12633 - Airframe hours: 3921 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-470 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: East Moriches Aerial Advertising Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007, 18 hours before - Departed: N12, Lakewood, NJ - Destination: N12 - Airport: N12, Lakewood ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 850 total, 200 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: BLM, 20 nm away ## 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 20070707020829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070707020829A), Jul 7, 2007: Cessna 305A, Berkeley Towns, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) A CE-305A, N12633, experienced sudden engine failure without any warning at 500' AGL northbound along the coast on a banner tow flight. The banner was… ## Other investigations on N12633 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA16CA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA241), Jul 3, 2016: Cessna 305 (N12633), Shirley, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to accept an advised runway rather than determine actual airport winds, which… 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.