Cessna Ector 305A accident near Berkeley Townsh, New Jersey, July 7, 2007
On July 7, 2007 at about 8:10 pm local time, a Cessna Ector 305A, registered N12633, was substantially damaged in an accident near Berkeley Townsh, New Jersey (Lakewood airport). It was a banner-towing flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 2007 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Berkeley Townsh, New Jersey · Lakewood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna Ector 305A
- Registration
- N12633 · registry record · serial 12633
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Banner-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was towing a banner at an altitude of 500 feet, when the engine abruptly lost power. She released the banner, and attempted unsuccessfully to restart the engine. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a beach. During the landing, the airplane's left landing gear separated, and the airframe was distorted. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Fuel samples taken from both fuel tanks and the fuel supply line to the carburetor were absent of contamination. A postaccident test run of the engine, and subsequent teardown of the carburetor, did not reveal any discrepancies.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 230 in the last 90 days; 105 in the last 30 days; 650 as pilot in command; 400 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,921 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2007; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N12 Lakewood NJ at 5:40 pm
- Destination: N12
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from BLM, 20 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 N12633 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.