Cessna 150 accident near Princeton, New Jersey, October 18, 1992
On October 18, 1992 at about 1:06 am local time, a Cessna 150, registered N19402, was substantially damaged in an accident near Princeton, New Jersey (Princeton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE DEPARTING THE RUNWAY, IMPACTING WITH A WALL AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT IMPROPERLY COMPENSATED FOR A CROSSWIND.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 1992 · about 1:06 am local time
- Place
- Princeton, New Jersey · Princeton
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N19402 · registry record · serial 15074397
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ON FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT SAID HE HELD A HIGHER THEN NORMAL SPEED BECAUSE OF A 10 TO 15 KNOT CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT, STRUCK A WALL AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE FAA SAID, '...THE GROUND TRACK SHOWED NO ATTEMPT TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION...'
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: 100 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 90 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 30, 1992; 90 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AIY Atlantic City NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,098 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.