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ERA17CA030

2016-10-28 · West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PA21

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The noncertificated pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Factual narrative

According to the non-certificated pilot of the unregistered airplane, he was flying at a low altitude when he encountered a gust of wind. He then lost control of the airplane, and it subsequently impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to the noncertificated pilot of the unregistered airplane, he was flying at a low altitude when he encountered a wind gust. He then lost control of the airplane, and it subsequently impacted trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_ERA17CA030.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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