Incident Overview
An aircraft impacted trees during a precautionary landing near Claryville, New York, following a low-fuel situation. The pilot had estimated a low fuel state and initiated the landing attempt. The aircraft became impaled approximately 12 feet above ground level (AGL) after striking trees. One wing tank was ruptured in the impact, and the pilot could not determine the remaining fuel quantity.
Flight Details
The flight originated in Frederick, Maryland, with an intended destination of Oxford, Maine. The pilot did not file a flight plan. After about three hours of flying on a 60-degree magnetic heading, the pilot decided to descend through the cloud deck to search for an airport to refuel or a field for a precautionary landing. The descent was made from 9,500 feet to 3,500 feet in deteriorating weather conditions.
Events Leading to the Accident
The pilot circled Claryville, New York, several times in an attempt to orient himself. He never used the radio to establish two-way communication for navigational assistance. An attempt to land in a field northwest of Claryville resulted in an overshoot, followed by a go-around attempt. During the go-around, the aircraft flew under wires and struck trees. The pilot stated that he never considered making a 180-degree turn during the deteriorating weather, despite being unsure of his position when starting the descent from 9,500 feet.