On September 22, 1991, a Cessna 170B (registration N37892) operated by John A. Yingst was involved in an aviation accident near E. Stroudsbury, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to delay turning away from higher terrain, which resulted in the aircraft being unable to outclimb the ground and striking tree tops. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane departed toward higher terrain, delayed its turn, and struck tree tops due to an inability to outclimb the elevation before coming to rest in a field.
What happened
The flight began with the aircraft departing from an airport situated in an area where the surrounding topography presented significant elevation changes. Rather than maintaining a trajectory that kept clear of the rising ground, the pilot directed the airplane toward higher terrain. During this phase of flight, the pilot delayed initiating the necessary turn to avoid the obstructing landscape.
Because the maneuver was postponed, the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude and performance margin to climb over the obstacles. A passenger aboard heard the stall warning horn sound, indicating that the wings were losing lift. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the tops of trees along its path. The fuselage continued through the canopy before finally coming to rest in an open field nearby.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to delay turning away from higher terrain, which resulted in the aircraft being unable to outclimb the ground and striking tree tops.
What happened in the 22 Sept 1991 Cessna 170B accident near E. Stroudsbury, PA?
An airplane departed toward higher terrain, delayed its turn, and struck tree tops due to an inability to outclimb the elevation before coming to rest in a field.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Sept 1991 involved a Cessna 170B, registration N37892, operated by John A. Yingst, at E. Stroudsbury, PA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's decision to delay turning away from higher terrain, which resulted in the aircraft being unable to outclimb the ground and striking tree tops.
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