# NTSB BFO95LA059: Cessna 172E, N3070U, Muncy Valley, PA, June 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1995, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Muncy Valley, PA - Coordinates: 41.349666, -76.599174 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3497&lon=-76.5992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9051/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA059 ## Probable cause the non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions. The weather conditions (haze and fog) were a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 2,400 FEET MSL. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A FSS WEATHER BRIEFING ABOUT 90 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND THOUGHT THE WEATHER TO THE FLIGHT'S INTENDED DESTINATION WAS VMC. HE STATED THAT WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED INTO FOG AND HAZE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, AND INITIATED A CLIMB '...FOR SAFETY... .' DURING THE CLIMBING 180 DEGREE TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1995, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172E, N3060U, collided with mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 2,400 feet mean sea level, during climb to cruise near Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time and location of the accident. The personal flight departed Towanda, Pennsylvania, about 1140 and was destined for Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The non-instrument rated, private pilot reported that he received a weather briefing from a Flight Service Station about 90 minutes prior to departure. He stated that he thought the flight could be operated to its destination in visual meteorological conditions. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported that the sky was overcast at about 2,800 feet above the ground. The pilot reported, "Towanda is in a valley, surrounded by mountains. We departed S.E. bound in clear weather. Approx. 15 min into the flight we flew into some light haze or mist which would come [and] go. At this point we decided to make a 180 [degree] turn [and] return to Towanda. At that instant the haze thickened [and] did not clear. We started climbing from 2,500 [feet] for safety. Approx 5 seconds later we saw the trees on top of the mountain. We were unable to get over them. I pulled the yoke all the way back to minimize the speed just prior to impact." The airplane collided with trees and came to rest in foliage about five feet above the ground. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. At 1250, the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Weather Observation facility, located about 15 miles west of the accident site, reported: Measured 900 variable overcast; ceiling variable 700 to 1,100 feet; 3 miles visibility with haze and fog; temperature 69 F; dew point 64 F; winds coming from 060 degrees at a velocity of 6 knots; altimeter setting 30.06 The pilot wrote on Safety Board Form 6120.1/2, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, under the Recommendation (How could this Accident Have Been Prevented) section, "Should have conducted a 180 [degree] turn at first sight of hazy weather." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3070U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3070U-1996-03-29), registration cancelled 1996-03-29, S/N 17250670 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-50670 - Airframe hours: 4542 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crosswinds Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1994, 12 hours before - Departed: N27, TOWANDA, PA - Destination: IPT, WILLIAMSPORT, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 235 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IPT, 15 nm away ## Other investigations on N3070U (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC68F0401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0401), Mar 24, 1968: Cessna 172E (N3070U), Rochester, NY, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.