Event NYC98LA163

Factual narrative

On August 6, 1998, about 2005 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N116FR, was substantially damaged during landing at the Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1), West Milford, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot (SP) sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight which departed the Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, New Jersey. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was on approach to runway 24, a 4,000 foot long, 60 foot wide asphalt runway. In a written statement, the CFI said: "...At the last minute [the SP] touched down with the right undercarriage and nose slightly to the left. He then added full power and told me he was going around. All of a sudden he added right rudder and full right aileron. I then said 'my plane' and kept saying 'my plane, my plane.' He was completely frozen at the controls and wouldn't let go. I managed to get us off. [The airplane was] heading for the trees and trying to climb out, but we were too low..." The airplane struck a metal fence post which was located about 100 feet to the right of the runway. In a written statement, the SP said the airplane bounced to the right side of the runway during the landing and he initiated a go around. The CFI then took control of the airplane. The SP further stated: "...[The CFI] tried to gain altitude and avoid the high trees, but for unknown reason the airplane didn't reply to the controls as if something was holding it and prevented its climb..." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. It was noted that the flaps were observed in the zero degree position. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form, the CFI reported approximately 2,300 hours of total flight experience, of which 700 hours were in make and model. The SP reported 30 hours of total flight experience, all in make and model. Winds reported at a nearby airport were from 180 degrees at 6 knots. During landing on runway 24, the 30-hour student pilot (SP) touched down and the airplane bounced towards the right side of the runway. The SP then initiated a go-around and added right rudder and full right aileron. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and was unable to gain altitude before the airplane struck a metal fence post located about 100 feet to the right of the runway. The SP said, '...for unknown reason the airplane didn't reply to the controls as if something was holding it and prevented its climb...' Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. It was noted that the flaps were observed in the zero degree position. Winds reported at a nearby airport were from 180 degrees at 6 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12