Cessna 182P accident near West Milford, New Jersey, February 27, 2005
On February 27, 2005 at about 6:05 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N6685M, was destroyed in an accident near West Milford, New Jersey (Greenwood Lake Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel ice, during the initial climb after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2005 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- West Milford, New Jersey · Greenwood Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N6685M · no longer on the register · serial 18263799
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The airplane lost altitude and touched down about 20 feet from the end of the runway pavement, became airborne again, sank below the level of the runway and out of view. After striking several trees and a power line, the airplane came to rest next to a road 362 feet northeast of the departure end of the runway. Examination of the runway revealed that it had a 340 foot displaced threshold that had been marked as a taxiway due to encroachment in the airport safety zone. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions; however, water was obtained from the fuel strainer, and a large piece of ice with visible contaminants suspended in it was found attached to the filter assembly. The airplane was stored out of doors and had not flown for almost 6 months. The owners manual stated that "if the aircraft is to be stored temporarily, or indefinitely, refer to the service manual for proper storage procedures." The service manual stated in the returning aircraft to service section to "Check fuel strainer. Remove and clean filter screen."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 600 hours in all
- Last flight review: August 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Other crew
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 26,830 hours in all; 77 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 23,335 as pilot in command; 5,352 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,237 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2004; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-S (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 4N1 West Milford NJ at 6:15 pm
- Destination: 4N1
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,470 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from FWN, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.