1985 Teterboro mid-air collision
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food manufacturing |
On November 10, 1985, a Dassault Falcon 50 business jet owned by Nabisco Brands Inc. collided midair with a Piper Cherokee near Teterboro Airport, New Jersey. The accident claimed six lives—five individuals aboard both planes and one person on the ground—and left eight others injured.
Accident
Around 5:22 p.m., the Dassault Falcon 50 was executing a routine instrument approach to Teterboro Airport, having received clearance to land and positioned on the downwind leg for runway 19. At the same time, the Piper Cherokee was flying in a west-to-east direction over the airport vicinity. The two aircraft collided at approximately 1,500 feet altitude. Both planes crashed into residential neighborhoods in Fairview and Cliffside Park, sparking fires and causing considerable disturbance within these communities.
Events following the Crash
In the immediate aftermath, officials observed that the jet’s turn was atypical and suggested that the Falcon’s pilot had reported visually spotting the Piper to Teterboro tower shortly before impact.
On the night of the collision, three victims were recovered from the Piper Cherokee: pilot Marlon J. Moss (26) and Henry Nocha Sr. along with his wife, Lucia; their bodies were transported to Bergen County Morgue. The following day, November 11, three additional fatalities were identified: Dassault Falcon pilots Gregory L. Miller (37) and Alan K. Stitt (31), as well as Abdul Taha (34), who was killed on the ground.
The impact of the jet destroyed two buildings outright, with subsequent fires consuming four more structures before being brought under control.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the collision was caused by breakdowns in coordination between FAA air traffic controllers and the Falcon crew’s failure to detect and avoid the Piper due to inaccurate air traffic control information combined with limited visibility during nighttime conditions.
The NTSB advised the FAA to improve communication procedures among controllers and implement specialized training at Teterboro Airport. This would support upgrading to a radar approach control system aimed at enhancing both safety and operational effectiveness.