# NTSB NYC90LA120: Navion H, N2502T, Readington, NJ, May 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1990, 16:09 local (20:09 UTC)
- Place: Readington, NJ
- Location: 40.5687° N, 74.7377° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Readington, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5687&lon=-74.7377&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA120

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM FLYING AIRSPEED WHICH LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND WITH A TAILWIND, AND HIS FAILURE TO MONITOR HIS AIRSPEED ON FINAL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT TURNED FINAL IN STRONG TAIL WIND CONDITIONS AND WITH GEAR AND FLAPS EXTENDED. THE AIRPLANE LANDED 1/4 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST POWER, HOWEVER THE FAA REPORTED THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO SLOW AND DEVELOP A SINK RATE FROM WHICH RECOVERY WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN THE AIRPLANE HIT THE GROUND IT SLID 20 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2502T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2502T), registered now, S/N NAV-4-2502, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION H
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION H](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-h) (registry code 6150122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2502
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Blumberg, M.D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NEW KENTON, VA
- Airport: SBJ, Solberg Hunterdon, runway 31, 3,425 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900519019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900519019959A), May 19, 1990: Tmpson NAVIONH, Readington, NJ, Substantial damage. Turned final strong tailwind. Landed short from uncorrected high sink rate slid 20FT on ground.

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.