Furlong CA-6 accident near Manville, New Jersey, July 14, 2020
On July 14, 2020 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1998 Furlong CA-6, registered N12LF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Manville, New Jersey (Central Jersey Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of directional control on takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2020 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Manville, New Jersey · Central Jersey Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Furlong CA-6, built 1998
- Registration
- N12LF · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot had just flown his tailwheel equipped airplane into the airport to purchase fuel, where the flight was uneventful. After purchasing fuel, the pilot performed another flight control check and initiated the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, as the tail came off the ground, the airplane began to pull to the left. The pilot continued with the takeoff but as the airplane climbed to about 40 ft above the ground, it continued to pull left despite right rudder and aileron input. The pilot was unable to stop the turn and attempted to land the airplane. The airplane struck a chain link fence adjacent to airport property and flipped over resulting in substantial damage to both wings, right horizontal stabilizer and elevator, vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance inspector confirmed flight control continuity between the cockpit controls and all primary flight controls, including the rudder. Further inspection revealed that the right rudder pedals were displaced full right; however, impact damage of the rudder precluded the ability to conclusively verify proper system operation. The pilot reported that he had no previous operational or mechanical issues with the rudder prior to the accident.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Heading/course › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 455 hours in all; 48.4 in this make and model; 8.5 in the last 90 days; 1.8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 19, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,490 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-CIA (piston); 2,711 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 47N Manville NJ at 9:00 pm
- Destination: 9N1 Erwinna PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 3,507 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from LDJ, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 17, 2020. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Roc - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Maintenance Inspector's Written Statement | 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.
Other NTSB records under N12LF the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.