1985 Teterboro collision
The 1985 Teterboro collision occurred on November 10, 1985, when a Dassault Falcon 50 executive jet belonging to Nabisco Brands Inc. and a Piper Cherokee collided over Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Six people died in the accident: all five aboard both aircraft and one person on the ground; another eight were injured.
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 10, 1985 |
| Summary | Mid-air collision |
| Site | Teterboro, New Jersey |
| Total fatalities | 6 |
| Total injuries | 8 (on the ground) |
| Total survivors | 0 (on planes) |
| First aircraft | |
 a Dassault Falcon 50 similar to the one involved in the accident | |
| Type | Dassault Falcon 50 |
| Operator | Nabisco Brands Inc. |
| Registration | N784B |
| Flight origin | Morristown Municipal Airport, Morris County, New Jersey |
| Destination | Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, New Jersey |
| Passengers | 0 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Second aircraft | |
 a Piper PA-28 similar to the one involved in the accident | |
| Type | Piper PA-28-181 Archer |
| Operator | Air Pegasus |
| Registration | N1977H |
| Passengers | 2 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground fatalities | 1 |
| Ground injuries | 8 |
Accident
At approximately 5:22 p.m. the Dassault Falcon 50 and the Piper Cherokee collided as the jet approached for landing at Teterboro Airport and the Piper was flying over the airport on a west to east course. The Dassault was cleared for a standard instrument approach in visual meteorological conditions and made a left turn to position itself on the downwind leg to runway 19. The collision occurred at approximately 1,500 feet, and the two aircraft fell into the residential areas of Fairview and Cliffside Park, New Jersey.[1][2][3]
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board investigation concluded the accident was caused by a breakdown in coordination among FAA air traffic controllers and the inability of the crew of the jet to see and avoid the other aircraft, because of misleading information from air traffic control and oncoming darkness.[4] The NTSB recommended that the FAA improve communication procedures among controllers and provide training for its personnel at Teterboro to qualify the airport for an upgrade to a radar approach control system.[5][6][7]
References
- "At Least 5 Killed As 2 Planes Collide Over Jersey". The New York Times. November 11, 1985.
- Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Dassault Falcon 50 N784B Teterboro Airport, NJ (TEB)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- McFadden, Robert D. "ROUTE OF JET IN CRASH OVER JERSEY THAT KILLED 6 IS CALLED 'UNUSUAL'". Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- Witkin, Richard (March 18, 1987). "'85 Plane Crash Laid to Failure by Controllers". The New York Times.
- "Safety Recommendation A-87-050". National Transportation Safety Board.
- Safety Recommendation National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved June 15, 2018
- Goldman, John J. (1985-11-11). "Planes Collide in N.J.; 4 Killed, 8 Injured". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2019-03-10.