No fatalities

Aircraft Noses Over After Landing on Closed Airport (N72806)

Vineland, NJ, US

On June 23, 2005, a Cessna T206H (registration N72806) was involved in an aviation accident near Vineland, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his decision to land at a closed airport. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot diverted to the nearest airport using GPS, but the airport had been closed for three months. During landing, the airplane encountered soft sand and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.

Incident Details

On a multi-stop local flight, the pilot decided to divert from the next intended stop. Utilizing the nearest function on the aircraft's GPS receiver, the pilot identified the closest airport and proceeded to land there.

Landing

During the landing roll, the airplane encountered soft sand on the runway surface. This caused the aircraft to nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.

Airport Status

The airport had been closed approximately three months prior to the accident. An FAA NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) had been issued listing the airport as closed at the time of the incident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jun 2005 Cessna T206H accident near Vineland, NJ?

A pilot diverted to the nearest airport using GPS, but the airport had been closed for three months. During landing, the airplane encountered soft sand and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Jun 2005 Cessna T206H accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jun 2005 involved a Cessna T206H, registration N72806, at Vineland, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in his decision to land at a closed airport.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050728X01116. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.