Cessna 150 accident near Sussex, New Jersey, August 12, 2009
On August 12, 2009 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N6676S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sussex, New Jersey (Sussex Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper pre-flight planning and take off over gross weight limits.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2009 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sussex, New Jersey · Sussex Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 H · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N6676S · no longer on the register · serial 15067476
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following the takeoff, the airplane was slow to climb and clipped treetops beyond the end of the runway. The pilot then pulled back on the yoke and stalled the airplane. Examination of the engine did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation or the production of rated horsepower. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. According to weight calculations, the airplane was 24 pounds over maximum gross weight. Airplane climb capability was further compromised with the center of gravity located forward of the forward limit.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Preflight or dispatch event during initial climb
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › CG/weight distribution › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 225 hours in all; 138 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 154 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 5, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,837 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 29, 2009; 3.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O200 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Royal Flying Club LLC
The flight
- Departed from: FWN Sussex NJ at 1:15 pm
- Destination: FWN Sussex NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,499 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from FWN, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.