Cessna 172S accident near Lincoln Park, New Jersey, July 23, 2011
On July 23, 2011 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Cessna 172S, registered N869BC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Lincoln Park, New Jersey (Lincoln Park Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper touchdown point, resulting in a runway overrun and collision with a guardrail.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2011 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Lincoln Park, New Jersey · Lincoln Park Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N869BC · registry record · serial 172S9738
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure shortly after takeoff, rendering the flaps inoperable. Witnesses observed the airplane land at a high rate of speed, two-thirds down the 2,942-foot runway. The airplane subsequently overran the runway and collided with a guardrail. The pilot reported that the airplane had poor braking performance and that it was not possible to stop on the remaining runway. Examination of the airplane’s wheel braking system revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane’s pilot operating handbook stated that the airplane is approved for a no-flap landing between 74 knots and 84 knots and requires a landing distance of 1,945 feet. Evidence indicates that the pilot landed too far down the runway to stop the airplane on the remaining runway. Examination of the airplane’s electrical system found an incorrect electrical contactor installed in the electrical master control unit, which resulted in overheating of the component and the loss of electrical power.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during initial climb
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Repair › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 141 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: June 24, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,404 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 28, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aero Safety Training LTD
The flight
- Departed from: NO7 Lincoln Park NJ at 4:00 pm
- Destination: NO7 Lincoln Park NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 2,942 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from MMU, 10 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA11LA421.