Mechanical Failure Caused Plane To Crash-Land In Cresskill Field

Mechanical failure caused a plane to crash in a Cresskill field in September, the Federal Aviation Administration has determined.

Pilot Jack Rosenberg and observer Erik Pearson were on routine patrol for the auxiliary over the Hudson River when the plane’s engine lost power, the report said. The plane departed from Lincoln Park in Passaic County.

Rosenberg said he made a split-second decision to avoid landing the Cessna 172 in an athletic field filled with kids in Tenafly. The plane crashed in an empty field behind the Cresskill Swim Club.

The plane was inspected on July 17 and two engine cylinders were removed and reinstalled on May 11, 2012, according to the report.

Maintenance personnel failed to apply the necessary torque to the cylinder flange nuts and through bolts when the cylinders were installed, which caused the components to loosen, the crankshaft to fail, and the engine to lose power, according to the report.

Rosenberg, a Coast Guard Auxiliary pilot, broke both legs during the crash, received stitches on his face, and had pins inserted into his foot as a result of the crash. Pearson was also seriously hurt.

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