American General Acft AG5B N59WM

Summary

On 15 January 2026 at about 22:15 local time, a American General Acft AG5B registered N59WM, operated by Hudson River Wings LLC, was involved in an accident near Fairfield, New Jersey, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 January 2026 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Fairfield, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Essex County (CDW)

Coordinates

40.8752, -74.2814

Aircraft

American General Acft AG5B

Registration

N59WM

Category

Airplane

Year built

1991

Engines

1

Operator

Hudson River Wings LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lincoln Park → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ERA26LA096

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate glide path during the landing approach in gusting wind conditions, resulting in an impact with trees prior to the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported being on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern when a 16 to 24-knot tailwind pushed the airplane further from the runway than he had planned. While on final approach, the airplane was low with a headwind. Following a momentary wind shift, the airplane lost more altitude and it struck the tops of trees resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Despite the impact, the pilot was able to clear the trees and land safely on the runway. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.