Beech V35 accident near Williamstown, New Jersey, June 13, 1996
On June 13, 1996 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Beech V35, registered N2011W, was destroyed in an accident near Williamstown, New Jersey (Cross Keys airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI); and failure of the pilot rated (dual) student to maintain control of the airplane during a simulated forced landing after takeoff, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of dual controls for performing flight instruction, and the student's recent use of an unapproved drug (marijuana).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 1996 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Williamstown, New Jersey · Cross Keys
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech V35 · all V35s on the register
- Registration
- N2011W · registry record · serial D7989
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On a previous flight, the owner of the airplane (a private pilot) and a flight instructor (CFI) flew an instructional flight from runway 27. After takeoff on that flight, a practice forced landing was made using a 270 degree turn back to the airport. During the accident flight, which was to practice commercial flight maneuvers, the pilot and CFI departed again from runway 27. In the vicinity of where the previous forced landing was initiated, witnesses heard the engine noise decrease. The airplane began a turn toward the airport, then it entered a steep descent and crashed. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the engine or airframe. The airplane was equipped with a single throw-over yoke, which was found positioned to the left/private pilot's seat. The Pilot's Operating Handbook and Federal Regulation required dual controls for flight instruction. During Toxicology tests of the private pilot, 0.003 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) and 0.004 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana) were detected in his kidney fluid, and 0.006 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid was detected in liver fluid. Toxicology tests of the CFI were negative.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,412 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 1996; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 17N at 11:27 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,500 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 pm from PHL, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| 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.