On February 13, 1986, a Cessna 303 (registration N4877V) operated by Steel City Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Shippenville, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, resulting in a stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A Cessna aircraft crashed in wooded terrain southwest of Clarion County Airport while attempting a visual approach under marginal weather conditions, resulting in a stall-type impact.
What happened
The flight arrived over Clarion County Airport at approximately 2100 hours and initiated a visual approach for landing. At the time of the accident, marginal visual weather conditions prevailed. Another pilot waiting on the ground observed the aircraft through a break in the clouds as it turned left toward the southwest, appearing to establish a left downwind leg for Runway 05. The aircraft was subsequently located in a wooded area southwest of the airport.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage failed to indicate any pre-impact mechanical malfunction or system failure. The aircraft impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude, and the debris field was confined to an area consistent with a stall-type accident.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, resulting in a stall.
What happened in the 13 Feb 1986 Cessna 303 accident near Shippenville, PA?
A Cessna aircraft crashed in wooded terrain southwest of Clarion County Airport while attempting a visual approach under marginal weather conditions, resulting in a stall-type impact.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 13 Feb 1986 involved a Cessna 303, registration N4877V, operated by Steel City Aviation, at Shippenville, PA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, resulting in a stall.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…