# NTSB NYC91LA244: Cessna 170B, N37892, E. Stroudsbury, PA, September 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1991, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: E. Stroudsbury, PA
- Coordinates: 40.999313, -75.1707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9993&lon=-75.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA244

## Probable cause

IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE HIS DEPARTURE TURN IN A TIMELY MANNER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AN AIRPORT IN THE DIRECTION OF HIGHER TERRAIN. THE PILOT DELAYED THE TURN AWAY FROM THE HIGHER TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE TERRAIN. THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS HEARD BY A PASSENGER, AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED THROUGH THE TREE TOPS AND CAME TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37892](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37892-1996-03-20), registration cancelled 1996-03-20, S/N 609 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 609
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A. Yingst
- Registered owner: John A. Yingst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: ESP, Birchwood-Pocono, runway 31, 2,537 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,747 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910922042119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910922042119A), Sep 22, 1991: Cessna 170B, East Stroudsbur, PA, Substantial damage. Near gross weight. No wind. Unable to clear rising terrain. Hit trees. Failed to timely turn away from high terrain.

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.

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