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Casualties unknown

Pilot Encounters Severe Thunderstorm, Aircraft Impacts Hillside (N3150E)

Trout Run, PA, US

On July 13, 1994, a Cessna 172N (registration N3150E) was involved in an aviation accident near Trout Run, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the delayed decision of the pilot to deviate from known weather which resulted in an inflight loss of control and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot who received preflight and inflight weather briefings about thunderstorms inadvertently flew into a level 5 storm, reporting lightning and low visibility, then lost altitude and struck a hill.

Incident Overview

A pilot operating a general aviation aircraft encountered severe weather conditions while attempting to reach an alternate airport. According to the investigation, the pilot had obtained a preflight weather briefing that included information about forecasted thunderstorms in the area. Additionally, an inflight briefing from flight service alerted the pilot to active thunderstorms nearby.

Flight Events

While en route, the pilot inadvertently entered the area of a level 5 thunderstorm. The pilot reported being in an area of lightning and decreased visibility. Subsequently, the airplane lost altitude and impacted the side of a hill.

Weather Conditions

Doppler radar imagery of weather returns in the vicinity depicted a band of intense weather extending westward for over 20 miles and approximately 7 miles wide. Radar tracking of the airplane as it proceeded easterly showed the aircraft's path remained within this area of weather returns throughout the event.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Jul 1994 Cessna 172N accident near Trout Run, PA?

A pilot who received preflight and inflight weather briefings about thunderstorms inadvertently flew into a level 5 storm, reporting lightning and low visibility, then lost altitude and struck a hill.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Jul 1994 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N3150E, at Trout Run, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the delayed decision of the pilot to deviate from known weather which resulted in an inflight loss of control and impact with terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01821. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.