Cessna 172M N9959V

Summary

On 23 May 2015 at about 17:30 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N9959V, operated by David Von Bing, was involved in an accident near Sussex, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 2015 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sussex, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Sussex (FWN)

Coordinates

41.2006, -74.6228

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N9959V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

David Von Bing

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pittstown → Sussex

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA088

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock during the preflight inspection, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock. He reported that the crosswind pushed the airplane off the right side of the runway into the grass, the airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was due to him not removing the bolt in the yoke. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.