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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 20, 2003 · Cessna 172G · N3985L

Ocean City, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Ocean City, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172G
Tail Number
N3985L
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA112

While landing on runway 06, the airplane encountered turbulence. The pilot attempted to abort the landing; however, the airplane veered right, and traveled off the right side of the runway. The airplane then struck a runway sign and berm, before coming to rest in a swamp at the departure end of the runway. The reported wind near the accident site, about the same time as the accident, was from 140 degrees at 11 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A factor was a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On May 20, 2003, about 1445 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N3985L, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at Ocean City Municipal Airport (26N), Ocean City, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured, and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Camden County Airport (19N), Berlin, New Jersey, about 1400. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 06, a 2,973 foot-long, 60 foot-wide, asphalt runway. During touchdown, the airplane encountered severe turbulence, and the pilot attempted to abort the landing. However, the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed, and traveled off the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently came to rest in a swamp near the end of runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The airplane then struck a runway sign and berm, before it came to rest in the swamp. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the nose gear. The inspector did not observe any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The reported wind at an airport located about 11 miles north of Ocean City, at 1454, was from 140 degrees at 11 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest AirportOcean City Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length2973 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172G
Tail NumberN3985L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 78 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time18:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data