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Casualties unknown

Cessna 172XP flips after landing on soft grass (N758BZ)

Vineland, NJ, US

On March 26, 1989, a Cessna 172XP (registration N758BZ) operated by Rudolph Meckel, Jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Vineland, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate control during landing on a soft, wet, and rough grass surface, which resulted in an overrun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 172XP carrying four people landed on a wet, rough grass strip and overran the end, flipping the aircraft in a drainage ditch.

What happened

The Cessna 172XP was engaged in a local pleasure flight with a private pilot and three passengers aboard. Upon approaching the landing area, the pilot encountered a grass surface that was described as soft, wet, and rough. These conditions significantly reduced braking effectiveness.

Despite efforts to stop, the aircraft was unable to halt before reaching the end of the usable runway. It continued forward into a drainage ditch. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse and resulted in the aircraft flipping over.

Findings

The primary factors contributing to the accident were the soft, wet, and rough condition of the grass landing surface, which prevented the aircraft from stopping within the available distance. not injured

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate control during landing on a soft, wet, and rough grass surface, which resulted in an overrun.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Mar 1989 Cessna 172XP accident near Vineland, NJ?

A Cessna 172XP carrying four people landed on a wet, rough grass strip and overran the end, flipping the aircraft in a drainage ditch.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Mar 1989 involved a Cessna 172XP, registration N758BZ, operated by Rudolph Meckel, Jr., at Vineland, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate control during landing on a soft, wet, and rough grass surface, which resulted in an overrun.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27995. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.