Cessna 172A and amateur-built Zodiac CH 601HDS mid-air collision near Pohatcong, New Jersey, November 5, 2005
On November 5, 2005 at about 4:38 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172A (N7467T) and amateur-built Zodiac CH 601HDS (N6384E), were involved in a mid-air collision near Pohatcong, New Jersey. 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes, which resulted in a midair collision during cruise flight.
The inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes, which resulted in a midair collision during descent.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2005 · about 4:38 pm local time
- Place
- Pohatcong, New Jersey · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172A · all 172As on the register
- Registration
- N7467T · registry record · serial 47067
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built Zodiac CH 601HDS
- Registration
- N6384E · no longer on the register · serial 64008
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172A final · quoted from the NTSB record
A high wing Cessna 172 airplane was in level flight about 1,800 feet msl, when it and a descending amateur built Zodiac airplane collided. Neither pilot was communicating with any air traffic control facility. Reported visibility was 10 miles, with high, scattered clouds. The Cessna pilot survived the collision with minor injuries, and was able to make a successful forced landing. The Zodiac pilot was fatally injured following an uncontrolled descent. According to radar and GPS derived track data, the Cessna was heading approximately north-northeast, and the Zodiac was in a shallow, 150 feet per minute descent, heading southeast. Witness marks and damage to both airplanes are consistent with the right wing of the Zodiac descending and crossing in front of the Cessna from about the Cessna's ten o'clock position, and colliding with the Cessna's propeller, cowling, and engine. FAA regulation 91.113, states, in part: "...vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft."
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 NTSB's narrative for the amateur-built Zodiac CH 601HDS final · quoted from the NTSB record
A high wing Cessna 172 airplane was in level flight about 1,800 feet msl, when it and a descending amateur built Zodiac airplane collided. Neither pilot was communicating with any air traffic control facility. Reported visibility was 10 miles, with high, scattered clouds. The Cessna pilot survived the collision with minor injuries, and was able to make a successful forced landing. The Zodiac pilot was fatally injured following an uncontrolled descent. According to radar and GPS derived track data, the Cessna was heading approximately north-northeast, and the Zodiac was in a shallow, 150 feet per minute descent, heading southeast. Witness marks and damage to both airplanes are consistent with the right wing of the Zodiac descending and crossing in front of the Cessna from about the Cessna's ten o'clock position, and colliding with the Cessna's propeller, cowling, and engine. FAA regulation 91.113, states, in part: "...vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft."
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 for the Cessna 172A from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 129 hours in all; 9 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,532 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N91 Erwinna PA at 4:05 pm
- Destination: N91
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from ABE, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built Zodiac CH 601HDS from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 325 hours in all; 65 in this make and model; 251 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 204.9 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2005; 35.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N85 Pittstown NJ at 2:47 pm
- Destination: N85
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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 NYC06FA025.