Cessna 172M N64380

Summary

On 26 August 1995 at about 23:00 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N64380, operated by Kenneth W. Jerolaman, was involved in an accident near Kingswood Twsp, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 1995 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kingswood Twsp, New Jersey, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N64380

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Kenneth W. Jerolaman

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Revere → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC95LA207

1 person died.

Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had an argument with two people. Using a handgun, he shot both of them, wounding one and killing the other. He then stole an airplane, and while taxiing for takeoff, he exchanged gunfire with a person on the ground. About 20 minutes after takeoff, the airplane collided with trees in a wooded area. There were no known witnesses to the accident; however, there were indications that the airplane was descending when it crashed. Also, there was evidence that the engine was providing power during impact. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the airplane. The wing flaps were retracted. There was no determination of whether or not the pilot and/or airplane were struck by gunfire. The occurrence was the subject of a criminal investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.