# NTSB NYC99LA066: Cessna 172N, N737MJ, Berlin, NJ, February 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 26, 1999, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Berlin, NJ - Location: 39.7784° N, 74.9478° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PINE VALLEY (19N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7784&lon=-74.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45879/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA066 ## Probable cause The pilot in command's failure to obtain the proper touch down point on the runway, and failure to perform a go-around. A factor relating to the accident was a sudden wind shift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis While landing, the certified flight instructor noticed an increase in ground speed. The airplane began to float and touched down with 660 feet of runway remaining. Maximum braking was applied and the flaps were retracted to the 10 degree position. The airplane ran off the end of the runway, striking a fence before coming to rest on a railroad track. ## Factual narrative On February 26, 1999, about 0945 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172N, N737MJ, was substantially damaged when it overran the end of the runway at the Camden County Airport (19N), Berlin, New Jersey. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI stated they had departed the Trenton-Robbinsville Airport intending to land at 19N. Upon arriving at 19N, the UNICOM frequency advised that the winds were shifting and Runway 23 was the active. The CFI decided to perform a fly-by to visually look at the windsock, which confirmed the winds were favoring runway 23, although there would be a 60 degree crosswind. The CFI re-entered the pattern to land on runway 23. As the airplane crossed the threshold on final approach, at approximately 60 knots, with 20 degrees of flaps, the CFI retarded the throttle to idle. The CFI then observed the wind shift to a tailwind and the ground-speed of the airplane began to increase, causing the airplane to float. The airplane touched down with about 660 feet remaining of the 3,102 foot runway. The CFI applied maximum braking and retracted the flaps to decrease lift, and put more weight on the wheels. The airplane then ran off the end of the runway, hit a fence, crossed a road, and came to rest upright on a railroad single track. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the flaps were only retracted to about 10 degrees of deflection. The flap selector switch, located in the cockpit of the airplane, was found in the 10 degree position. An airport, located 15 miles to the northwest, reported winds from 320 degrees at 17 knots, with peak winds to 27 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737MJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737MJ-2006-06-29), registration cancelled 2006-06-29, S/N 17269520, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 69528 - Airframe hours: 2735 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ken Marson Aero Club - Registered owner: George Morningstern - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: N87, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ - Destination: 19N - Airport: 19N, Camden County, runway 23, 3,100 × 45 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 17,380 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 15,600 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 15 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 19990226030119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990226030119A), Feb 26, 1999: Cessna 172N, Berlin, NJ, Substantial damage. (.4) On February 26, 1999, about 0945 eastern standrd time, a Cessna 172N, N737MJ, was substantially damaged when it overran the end of the runway at the… 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.