Amateur-built Atlantis accident near Pittstown, New Jersey, July 4, 2005
On July 4, 2005 at about 4:15 pm local time, a amateur-built Atlantis, registered N98Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pittstown, New Jersey (Sky Manor Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines, while returning to the airport after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2005 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Pittstown, New Jersey · Sky Manor Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Atlantis
- Registration
- N98Y · 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
A witness, who was also a pilot, observed the airplane during its takeoff from the runway. As the airplane reached about the mid-point of the runway, the left wing struck the runway. The airplane's canopy then appeared to open, and the pilot attempted to grab it with one hand. The witness heard a reduction in power, and then an increase in power as the airplane continued its takeoff. As the airplane reached about 800 feet, it initiated a turn to the left, and struck power lines as it was returning to the airport. The airplane then impacted the ground at the base of the power lines. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies. The pilot reported that he had no memory of 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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 550 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 629 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N40 Pittstown NJ at 4:15 pm
- Destination: N40
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7, 2,439 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TTN, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.