Accident Overview
On December 29, 2023, about 2157 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Zenith STOL CH 701 airplane, registration N4209W, was destroyed when it struck trees and terrain near Marienville, Pennsylvania. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
ADS-B track data indicated that the airplane departed runway 24 at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field (ERI) at about 2058, destined for John Murtha Johnstown/Cambria County Airport (JST). The flight proceeded generally eastward at about 3,100 ft msl with minor deviations, then turned southeast toward JST. At the time of the accident, the flight was under visual flight rules, and the pilot was not in communication with air traffic control.
Weather Conditions
About 90 seconds before the last recorded ADS-B data, weather radar showed the airplane entered an area of light reflectivity consistent with developing light snow. About the same time, the airplane began a left turn at about 2,900 ft msl (1,300 ft agl). The turn tightened, and the airplane climbed to about 3,350 ft msl, then descended steeply in a tight left spiral. The last ADS-B position at 2156:56 showed an altitude of 2,150 ft msl. The airplane impacted trees about 450 ft northwest of that position.
Weather at ERI at departure included wind 210° at 7 kts, broken ceiling at 1,700 ft msl, overcast at 4,200 ft msl, and 10 statute miles visibility. At JST, about 70 miles south, conditions included wind 260° at 8 kts and overcast at 1,300 ft msl; about one hour later, the ceiling dropped to overcast at 900 ft msl. Pilot reports within 75 miles indicated light to moderate icing at or below 7,000 ft. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts predicted light snow, overcast skies, and reduced visibility. The National Weather Service Area Forecast Discussion noted marginal VFR with local IFR due to light snow and mist.
Automated observations at Dubois Regional Airport (DUJ), 18 miles south-southeast, reported an overcast ceiling at 800 ft agl (2,600 ft msl), visibility 4 miles, mist, and 1°C at 2153. At St Marys Municipal Airport (OYM), 26 miles east, conditions were overcast at 1,400 ft agl (3,300 ft msl) and visibility 10 miles at 2155. No SIGMETs or Center Weather Advisories were active, but graphical AIRMETs for mountain obscuration were valid. A HRRR model sounding estimated a freezing level about 2,000 ft msl, cloudy conditions between 3,000 and 6,000 ft, and light to moderate clear or rime ice between 2,500 and 5,700 ft.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating but no instrument rating. Electronic logs showed 124.6 flight hours between July 2017 and March 2022, including 28.2 night hours. At his last medical examination on January 31, 2023, he reported 5,300 total flight hours. The airplane was manufactured in 2006 and registered to the pilot in 2017. No maintenance logs were located; airframe time could not be determined. The fixed-base operator at ERI serviced the airplane with 24.5 gallons of 100LL fuel on the accident day, topping off the tanks.
Wreckage and Examination
The airplane impacted wooded terrain in the Allegheny National Forest. The initial point of impact was the top of a 70-ft-tall hardwood tree; the airplane continued at a 60° descent angle until the main wreckage lodged into another tree. Both wings and main landing gear separated. All structural components were accounted for. The magnetic heading from the initial tree strike to the main wreckage was 140°, and the fuselage oriented on a heading of 320°. The wreckage path was about 65 ft long and 25 ft wide. No fire occurred, but a fuel odor was present. Postaccident examination found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Medical and Toxicology
At his last medical exam, the pilot reported no medication use or active conditions. Medical records from 2020 showed no pertinent history. FAA toxicology testing revealed methamphetamine (11,262 ng/g in liver; 264 ng/g in muscle) and amphetamine (89 ng/g liver; 7 ng/g muscle). Also detected were phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, modafinil, modafinil acid, sildenafil, and desmethylsildenafil. Methamphetamine and amphetamine are CNS stimulants, considered by the FAA as "Do Not Issue/Do Not Fly" medications. Modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, and its use is unacceptable for pilot medical certification. Sildenafil is not typically impairing.