Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near West Milford, NJ — 2025-10-06

Final reportERA26LA003
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Date
2025-10-06
Location
West Milford, NJ, USA
Airport
4N1
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N677DM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to adequate clearance from obstacles while maneuvering during the landing approach and the instructor pilot’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane contacting a tree and terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a practice power off 180o landing in preparation for his commercial check ride with a flight instructor onboard acting as observer. During the base turn to land, the pilot realized he was too high and began to conduct “S” turns to increase descent rate. He then leveled the airplane but was too low and positioned left of the runway centerline. The flight instructor observed that the airplane was close to trees and called for the pilot to conduct a go around. The airplane then contacted the top of a tree and then the ground. Both of the airplane’s wings, the fuselage, and the empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would preclude normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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