Night crash of twin-engine aircraft during localizer approach

Casualties unknown • Cedarville, NJ, US

Two pilots died when their aircraft crashed into a wooded area near Millville Municipal Airport while conducting a night instrument approach under actual instrument weather conditions.

What happened

The two ATP-rated pilots were en route back to their home base airport, operating under an IFR flight plan in actual instrument weather conditions. Communications with air traffic control controllers remained normal throughout the flight. During a night localizer approach into Millville Municipal Airport, an ATC specialist observed the aircraft passing through the localizer track and issued a vector for re-interception. The aircraft was subsequently observed tracking inbound on course. The pilot reported crossing the outer marker (OM). This was the last transmission heard from the pilot and was routine. The aircraft crashed into a wooded area just beyond the OM and was destroyed in a post-impact fire.

The investigation

Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed evidence to indicate that the left engine was producing less power than the right engine at impact.

Probable cause

The left engine producing less power than the right engine at impact, which led to the loss of control and subsequent crash.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1985-02-02 Beech A100 accident near Cedarville, NJ?

Two pilots died when their aircraft crashed into a wooded area near Millville Municipal Airport while conducting a night instrument approach under actual instrument weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1985-02-02 involved a Beech A100, registration N72BS, at Cedarville, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The left engine producing less power than the right engine at impact, which led to the loss of control and subsequent crash.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X35772. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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