Cessna 172 accident near Lakewood, New Jersey, December 19, 2024
On December 19, 2024 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1973 Cessna 172, registered N12194, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Lakewood, New Jersey (Lakewood airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delay in performing a go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees at the end of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 19, 2024 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lakewood, New Jersey · Lakewood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 M, built 1973 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N12194 · registry record · serial 17261875
- 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 flew uneventfully over the local area and was returning to the departure airport. He was attempting to land on a 2,987-ft-long runway with a 9-knot right-quartering crosswind. The airplane was high during the first approach and the pilot performed a go-around. During the second approach, the airplane was high again and fast. The pilot attempted a slip, but the airplane was still fast and floated longer above the runway than anticipated. The pilot initiated a second go-around but was too far down the runway and was unable to clear trees at the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and the ground. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 255 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 19 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 6, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,800 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2024; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,700 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 2,987 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 3:56 pm from BLM, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBLM 192056Z AUTO 32010KT 10SM CLR 06/M03 A3028
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 ERA25LA081.