Coney Island plane crash

Infobox Aircraft crash
date = May 21 2005


caption = The wreckage of the Cessna 172 on the cover of the "New York Post".
Type = Engine failure due to pilot error
Site = Coney Island, New York
passengers = 3
crew = 1
Survivors = 0
aircraft_type = Cessna 172
operator = RJ Ventures LLC
tail_number = N778LP

The Coney Island Plane Crash was an aviation accident that occurred on May 21, 2005 at 1:30 pm (EST) over Coney Island, New York.

The accident occurred when a small plane operated by a local sightseeing company suffered engine failure and crashed onto a beach, killing all three passengers and the pilot.

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.NTSB (2005) [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20050526X00678&key=1 NTSB Report on the Crash] URL Accessed: September 21, 2006] "Associated Press" [http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/9755 4 killed in Coney Island Plane Crash] URL Accessed: September 21, 2006] ["Unknown" [http://www.injuryhelpline.com/index.rwl?category=news&section=aviation&article=4+die+in+plane+crash+on+beach+at+coney+island&id=815 Coney Island Plane Crash] URL Accessed: September 21, 2006]

All four people aboard (three passengers and the pilot) died in the crash, three instantly and the fourth some time later. [http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/9755 4 killed in Coney Island Plane Crash] ] 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.) [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20050526X00678&key=1 NTSB Report on the Crash] ] NSTB (2005) [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20050526X00678&ntsbno=IAD05FA067&akey=1 Full report on the Crash] URL Accessed: September 21, 2006]

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. [Fisher, Jason [http://www.nypost.com/seven/08282006/news/regionalnews/45m_suit_in_fatal_coney_air_crash_regionalnews_janon_fisher.htm $45M SUIT IN FATAL CONEY AIR CRASH] "New York Post" URL Accessed: September 22, 2006.]

In response to the crash, RJ Ventures LLC changed its policy regarding the number of passengers and that training flights must be 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.NSTB (2005) [http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20050526X00678&ntsbno=IAD05FA067&akey=1 Full report on the Crash] URL Accessed: September 21, 2006.]

Other weight-related air crashes

* Air Ontario Flight 1363 crashed near Dryden, Ontario after ice prevented the plane from achieving altitude. 21 passengers died.
* USAir Flight 405 crashed due to heavy weight caused by ice buildup.

ee also

* Plane crash

References