Coney Island plane crash
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Wreckage of the Cessna 172 |
|
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | May 21, 2005 |
| Type | Engine failure, Pilot Error |
| Site | Coney Island, New York |
| Fatalities | 4 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 172 |
| Operator | RJ Ventures LLC |
| Tail number | N778LP |
| Passengers | 3 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The Coney Island Plane Crash was an aviation accident that occurred on May 21, 2005 at 1:30 pm (EST) in Coney Island, New York.
The accident occurred when a small plane, operated by a local sightseeing company suffered engine failure and crashed onto the beach killing all three passengers and the pilot.
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[edit] Event
On May 21, 2005 the plane took off from Linden Airport in New Jersey at 1:00 pm (EST) for an instructional flight. At 1:30 pm (EST), eyewitnesses saw the plane flying low and circling Coney Island. One eyewitness mentioned that the pilot was having trouble landing the plane before it crashed nose-first onto the beach. The altitude of the plane before the crash was 300 feet, and its speed was 70 mph.[1][2][3]
All four people aboard (3 passengers and 1 pilot) died in the crash (3 instant, 1 later).[2] An investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the plane's flaps were in a 30° position, and a review of the plane's weight and balance information revealed that the plane's overall weight after take off was 2,689 pounds, which is above the maximum takeoff weight for light airplanes (2,550 pounds.)[1][4]
[edit] Aftermath
A $45 million dollar (2005 USD) lawsuit was filed by the families of the victims of the crash citing negligence. According to the lawsuit, the passengers were told that they were taking an hour long sightseeing tour. However, a New Jersey flight school said the flight time was for student flight training and that the flight training was not to be done in that area.[5]
In response to the crash, the RJ Ventures changed its policy regarding the number of passengers and that training flights must made in the designated area and no passengers are allowed to ride in the back. In addition a pre-flight weight and balance worksheet was mandated.[4]
[edit] Weight related Air Crashes
- Air Ontario Flight 1363 crashed near Dreyton, Ontario killing 21 passgenger after ice prevented the plane from achieving altitude.
- USAir Flight 405 crashed due to heavy weight caused by ice buildup.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b NTSB (2005) NTSB Report on the Crash URL Accessed: September 21, 2006
- ^ a b Associated Press 4 killed in Coney Island Plane Crash URL Accessed: September 21, 2006
- ^ Unknown Coney Island Plane Crash URL Accessed: September 21, 2006
- ^ a b NSTB (2005) Full report on the Crash URL Accessed: September 21, 2006
- ^ Fisher, Jason $45M SUIT IN FATAL CONEY AIR CRASH New York Post URL Accessed: September 22, 2006
