On July 31, 1985, a Cessna C-177B (registration N34672) was involved in an aviation accident near Macungie, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed an aircraft descending in a near-nose-dive attitude amid a severe thunderstorm. The pilot had no radio contact with ground facilities, and no record of a weather briefing was found. No mechanical malfunction or pilot impairment was identified.
Accident
During a severe thunderstorm, witnesses saw an aircraft descend in a near-nose-dive attitude. The accident occurred 28 miles from the departure airport, out of a total flight distance of 32 miles between the departure and destination airports. The pilot was not in radio communication with any ground facilities at the time. Visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions prevailed at the departure airport.
Investigation
Examination of the aircraft found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. There was also no evidence of pilot impairment or incapacitation. Investigators could find no record indicating the pilot had received a weather briefing prior to the flight.
Weather
The accident took place during a severe thunderstorm, characterized by extreme weather conditions. Despite the storm in the area, VFR conditions were reported at the departure airport.