Cessna 172N N739GV

Summary

On 4 July 2024 at about 14:10 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N739GV, operated by Quarter To Two Flying Club Inc, was involved in an accident near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 July 2024 at 14:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

William T Piper Mem (LHV)

Coordinates

41.1425, -77.4178

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N739GV

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Quarter To Two Flying Club Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Williamsport → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24FA292

1 person died.

The student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot initiated a solo flight to a nearby airport, likely to practice pattern work. Her flight instructor, who characterized her as an outstanding student, was not aware that she was flying that day, and he stated that this lack of coordination was contrary to what he had taught her. Flight track data showed that the pilot entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg and proceeded to line up on final approach for the 3,799-ft-long runway. About halfway down the runway length, the airplane climbed and immediately turned left to enter the crosswind leg. A witness observed the airplane and reported that he thought that the airplane would not clear the trees in its direct flight path. He also stated that the airplane’s engine was running without hesitation; however, the airplane was “struggling.” The airplane collided with the top of a tree near stall speed (based on the groundspeeds reported in the flight track data), with flaps retracted, then collided with and came to rest against the base of another tree. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preexisting mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Although the student pilot had an instructor endorsement for solo flight, the accident flight was only her second solo flight. Based on the available evidence, had she established an appropriate climb airspeed and altitude on the upwind leg of the traffic pattern before turning crosswind, the accident likely would not have occurred.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.