Cessna 172 accident near Berlin, New Jersey, December 29, 2021
On December 29, 2021 at about 10:15 pm local time, a 1959 Cessna 172, registered N6295E, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Berlin, New Jersey (Camden County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inadvertent in-flight collision with a goose while on approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 29, 2021 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Berlin, New Jersey · Camden County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 1959 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N6295E · registry record · serial 46395
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he turned onto final approach at dusk and turned the landing light on to look for deer. On short final approach, over the runway numbers about 50 to 80 ft above ground level, the landing light illuminated a flock of geese on the ground, and they scattered into the air. One of the geese contacted the leading-edge outboard section of the right wing and the airplane landed uneventfully. The pilot further reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the right wing by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the spar.
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
- Birdstrike during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,204 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,185 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 26, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,577 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 13, 2021; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300A (piston); 4,745 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NJ25 Clarksboro NJ at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 3,094 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from KVAY, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KVAY 292154Z AUTO 36003KT 9SM FEW011 08/06 A2995
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 25, 2022. 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, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | 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.