On July 14, 1997, a Cessna 172M (registration N9679V) was involved in an aviation accident near Manville, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot aborted a landing after bouncing twice, lost directional control in a left crosswind, and the airplane struck trees nose-down. The pilot had limited recent flight experience.
Accident Sequence
The airplane collided with trees while the pilot was attempting to abort a landing. According to the pilot, the decision to abort came after the airplane bounced twice during the landing attempt. The pilot stated that a left crosswind pushed the airplane toward trees on the right side of the runway, making directional control difficult during both the landing and the subsequent go-around.
Witness Observations
One witness reported that the airplane's pitch attitude reached approximately 15 degrees during the initial climb after the abort. Multiple witnesses described the airplane as 'wallowing' before entering the trees in a nose-down attitude.
Pilot Background
The pilot had flown a total of 4 hours in the 12 months preceding the accident. Of those, 1.7 hours were flown one month before the event.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 14 Jul 1997 Cessna 172M accident near Manville, NJ?
A pilot aborted a landing after bouncing twice, lost directional control in a left crosswind, and the airplane struck trees nose-down. The pilot had limited recent flight experience.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Jul 1997 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N9679V, at Manville, NJ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.
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