Accident Overview
On July 2, 2025, at about 1729 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, registration N716MM, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Monroe, New Jersey. The two commercial pilots and 10 passengers were seriously injured, and three passengers incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 skydive flight.
Flight History
Due to their injuries, the pilots could not initially provide a statement. According to airplane and fueling records, the accident flight was the second flight of the day. The airplane was fueled with 44.9 gallons of Jet-A, bringing the total fuel load to 800 lbs. It was then flown on an 18-minute skydive flight uneventfully. That flight departed at 1623, and the accident flight departed at 1714, with 700 lbs. of fuel onboard.
Sequence of Events
According to preliminary ADS-B information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with witness statements, during climb, about 3,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot reported a loss of engine power and attempted to glide the airplane back to runway 27 at Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross, New Jersey. Runway 27 was 3,500 ft long, 50 ft wide, and consisted of asphalt. The airplane approached the runway fast, floated, and touched down near the end. It traveled off the end of the runway and collided with trees about 700 ft beyond the runway. It then traveled about 250 ft through the trees, coming to rest upright.
Wreckage Examination
Postaccident examination of the wreckage at the accident site revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Three of the four propeller blades had separated, while the remaining blade was in a feathered position. The wreckage was subsequently recovered from the accident site and examined in further detail. Both sides of the fuselage were crushed inward. The cabin left side bench seat and right side bench seat remained intact, with the two aft legs of the left bench seat separated. The pilots’ five-point harnesses and the 17 harnesses for the bench seats in the cabin remain intact; some were cut by rescue personnel. Both wing fuel tanks and the reservoir header tank were breached; however, 0.5 gallon of fuel was able to be recovered from the breached reservoir header tank. The fuel was clear and absent of any visible debris. The flaps and flap jackscrew were found in the fully extended position. A multifunction display was recovered from the cockpit and retained for data download.
Engine Examination
A cursory examination of the TPE331 engine was performed before it was prepared for shipment to a manufacturer facility for further teardown examination. Rotation of the propeller confirmed drivetrain continuity to the power section, gearbox scavenger pump, and accessory pad. The metal chip detector was removed, and no debris was observed. Approximately 8 ounces of fuel was drained from the fuel line to the engine fuel pump fuel filter bowl. The fuel was clear and absent of any visible debris.