What happened
On May 1, 2019, a Cessna 172N, registration N733KZ, was involved in an accident near Tyrone, Pennsylvania. The flight was being conducted as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot had filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan from University Park Airport (UNV) to Pittsburgh/Butler Regional Airport (BTP), but upon contacting ground control, the pilot stated he would depart under visual flight rules (VFR).
After departing runway 24, the aircraft climbed to 2,500 feet MSL and proceeded toward a west-southwest heading. Radar data showed the aircraft maintained this altitude for approximately 10 nautical miles before entering a right turn. At 12:51:07, radar contact was lost while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 2,050 feet MSL. The wreckage was located near a ridgeline at an elevation of approximately 2,100 feet.
A witness near the site reported seeing the aircraft flying below a layer of fog in a westerly direction. The witness observed the plane banking before it disappeared behind trees, followed by the sound of an aircraft impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the cockpit and cabin had sustained extensive impact and fire damage. The aircraft had struck trees at an elevation of 2,122 feet MSL. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was found to be producing power at the time of impact.
Review of the pilot's records showed that while he held an instrument rating, he had not performed any actual or simulated instrument flights since August 2017 and did not meet the necessary currency requirements for IFR flight. Additionally, the aircraft had recently undergone maintenance involving the installation of new Garmin G5 electronic flight instruments and a Garmin GFC 500 autopilot.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to continue flight under VFR into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The presence of mountain obscuration and low cloud ceilings due to mist and clouds.
- The aircraft's impact with trees and terrain in a relatively level, slightly right-wing-down attitude.