Beech C24R accident near Old Bridge, New Jersey, July 1, 1997
On July 1, 1997 at about 11:40 pm local time, a Beech C24R, registered N5156M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Old Bridge, New Jersey (Old Bridge Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power 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 1, 1997 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Old Bridge, New Jersey · Old Bridge Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C24R · all C24Rs on the register
- Registration
- N5156M · registry record · serial MC583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to practice simulated engine failures. The first simulated engine failure was conducted to a landing, and the second was terminated with a go-around. During the third simulated engine failure, the instructor observed that the airplane was low, and verbally instructed the student to add power. The student added full power; however, the engine did not respond. The airplane then touched down on the grass, to the right of the runway, and encountered a drainage ditch. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a pre impact malfunction.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,415 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 4,350 as pilot in command; 3,270 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,020 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 24, 1997; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BLM Belmar NJ at 10:40 pm
- Destination: 3N6 NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 3,594 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 13,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 pm from EWR, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.