# NTSB NYC97LA133: Beech C24R, N5156M, Old Bridge, NJ, July 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1997, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Old Bridge, NJ
- Location: 40.3299° N, 74.3468° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OLD BRIDGE (3N6), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3299&lon=-74.3468&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA133

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The purpose of the flight was to practice simulated engine failures.  The first simulated engine failure was conducted to a landing, and the second was terminated with a go-around.  During the third simulated engine failure, the instructor observed that the airplane was low, and verbally instructed the student to add power.  The student added full power; however, the engine did not respond.  The airplane then touched down on the grass, to the right of the runway, and encountered a drainage ditch.  Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a pre impact malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1997, about 1940 eastern daylight time, a Beech C24R, N5156M, was substantially damaged when it landed off the runway's right side and collided with a drainage ditch, at the Old Bridge Airport (3N6), Old Bridge, New Jersey.  The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed the Allaire Airport, Belmar, New Jersey.  No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The CFI reported that the flight arrived at 3N6, with the intent to practice simulated engine failures to Runway 6.  The first simulated engine failure was conducted to a landing, and the second was terminated with a go-around.  During the third simulated engine failure, and while on final approach, the instructor observed that the airplane was low, and verbally instructed the student to add power.  The student added full power; however, the engine did not respond.  The airplane then touched down on the grass, to the right of the runway, and encountered a drainage ditch.

Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector did not reveal evidence of pre impact malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5156M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5156M-1998-04-17), registration cancelled 1998-04-17, S/N MC583 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC583
- Airframe hours: 2020
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dominic Derasmo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1997, 17 hours before
- Departed: BLM, BELMAR, NJ
- Destination: 3N6, NJ
- Airport: 3N6, Old Bridge Airport, runway 6, 3,594 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,415 total, 40 in this make and model, 4,350 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 25 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 19970701016709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970701016709A), Jul 1, 1997: Beech C24R, Old Bridge, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft was practicing power off landings, left wing hit runway, veered off the right side into a ditch.

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.
