Probable cause
The student pilot’s control interference which resulted in a landing with a higher than normal airspeed, and the commercial pilot’s failure to initiate a go-around to avoid the runway overrun.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot was performing a forward slip maneuver during landing when the student pilot-rated passenger pushed on the control yoke which resulted in a descent that reached an indicated airspeed of 100 knots. The student pilot did not relinquish the controls to the commercial pilot until the airplane touched down. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining runway. It overran the paved surface, went through a perimeter fence, and came to rest on a rocky incline. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10LA322 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 20, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- West Milford, New Jersey
- Nearest airport
- Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N738QZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.