Incident Overview
A twin-engine airplane en route from Philadelphia to White Plains, carrying three people, collided with a Cessna 172 registered N75604 and operated by Teterboro Flight Service, which had two people on board. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge. Both aircraft were destroyed, and all five occupants were killed.
Aircraft Details
The first aircraft was a twin-engine airplane with three occupants. The second aircraft was a Cessna 172, registration N75604, operated by Teterboro Flight Service, carrying two occupants.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be an in-flight collision after the pilot failed to see and avoid the other aircraft. The investigation also reported the following contributing factors: the aircraft were not under radar contact, there was no control zone in effect, and fresh scuff marks were found on the leading edge of the deicing boot of the vertical stabilizer.