Cessna 525B incident near Teterboro, New Jersey, May 3, 2015
On May 3, 2015 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 2005 Cessna 525B, registered N784JS, suffered minor damage in an incident during pushback/towing near Teterboro, New Jersey (Teterboro airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The overstress fracture of the nose landing gear actuator (NLG) attachment lug during tow operations, which resulted in the collapse of the NLG.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2015 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Teterboro, New Jersey · Teterboro · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 525B, built 2005 · all 525Bs on the register
- Registration
- N784JS · no longer on the register · serial 525B0050
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The unoccupied airplane was parked on the ramp with the parking brake off; ground personnel then attempted to tow the airplane. During the attempted towing, the nose landing gear (NLG) actuator attachment lug fractured, which resulted in the collapse of the NLG. Examination of the NLG actuator attachment lug revealed that the end of the attachment fitting was fractured on both sides of the bearing. The fractured surfaces exhibited features consistent with overstress separation. The reason for the overstress could not be determined.
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
- Ground handling event during pushback/tow (engine not oper)
- Landing gear collapse during pushback/towing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Towing › Not specified
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 13,870 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Williams FJ 44 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Williams FJ 44 SERIES (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Superior Air Charter LLC
The flight
- Departed from: TEB Teterboro NJ at 6:15 pm
- Destination: TEB Teterboro NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from TEB
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Statements from Flightcrew | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement from Textron Aviation Technician | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Statements from Fixed Base Operator Personnel | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 and NTSB Evidence Control Form | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 1 - Airplane and Associated Ground Equipment (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.