Cessna 172N accident near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, July 14, 2006
On July 14, 2006 at about 9:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N4792D, was destroyed in an accident near Pompton Lakes, New Jersey (Essex County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Improper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2006 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pompton Lakes, New Jersey · Essex County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4792D · no longer on the register · serial 17272361
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident flight was the first flight after the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed. During the flight, the pilot reported that he had no throttle control. The pilot further stated that the engine rpm was 1,400, and the airplane was losing altitude. The pilot attempted to execute a forced landing to an access road; however, the airplane struck trees and a postcrash fire ensued. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the throttle body portion of the carburetor remained attached to the engine, and the cotter pin was missing from the throttle lever locknut. The throttle lever locknut was partially backed-off its stop. In addition, the throttle lever was loose, and the serrations on the throttle shaft stop were disengaged from the serrations on the throttle lever. Review of maintenance records revealed that during the annual inspection, the throttle shaft bushings and shaft assembly were noted as worn, and were subsequently removed and replaced. The mechanic that performed the work stated that he recalled installing a throttle shaft bushing and a throttle shaft, but did not recall a cotter pin missing. Review of a Cessna service manual revealed instructions and diagrams to secure the locknut with a cotter pin. No other preimpact mechanical malfunctions were observed.
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
- Flight time: 340 hours in all; 9 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,675 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2006; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Mac Dan Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: CDW Caldwell NJ at 9:00 pm
- Destination: CDW
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from CDW, 10 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.
Other NTSB records under N4792D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.