Cessna 172N N737CJ

Summary

On 29 August 1999 at about 22:50 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N737CJ, operated by Air Transport, Inc., was involved in an accident near Sussex, New Jersey, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 August 1999 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Sussex, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Sussex (FWN)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N737CJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Air Transport, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Farmingdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99FA213

3 people died.

The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by other airplanes performing successful downwind departures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the conclusion of an airshow held at an uncontrolled airport, pilots reported that someone over the Unicom frequency directed airplanes to depart Runway 21. While waiting for takeoff from Runway 21, several pilots stated that the windsock indicated a direct tailwind. Witnesses observed departing airplanes 'struggling' to climb and coming 'really close' to trees located off the departure end of the runway. The accident airplane departed Runway 21 and impacted the trees located off the departure end of the runway. The airplane then pitched down and impacted in a field. Winds reported at an airport about 38 miles southeast of the accident site were from 340 degrees at 10 knots with 19 knot gusts, and witnesses stated the wind was blowing 'straight down,' and favoring Runway 3.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.