The pilot reported that, after departure, he flew south along a river for about five miles.
He then turned east toward his destination airport and needed to climb over a mountain ridge.
During the climb, the Cessna 172’s landing gear hit the top of trees. The airplane then nosed down and hit terrain near Carrabassett, Maine.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA036
This October 2016 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
He must have survived since the article says: “The pilot reported no pre-accident etc, etc”
Seriously though, Dave, you are People do dumb things no matter how much education & training.. You can’t teach people common sense. I was trying to think what else could have caused it. According to the NTSB report the accident happened in October and although there are some small mountains around, more than likely it wasn’t the result of density altitude. The 172 isn’t known for its outstanding climb performance, so it seems that the only thing [density] was the pilot’s brain which restricted his performance.
My comment should have said “Seriously though, Dave, you KNOW…… Sorry about that. Seems my brain is a little dende this morning also.
It is surprising to me how people can invest considerable amounts of time and money on an airplane and then go out and fly it into trees, terrain, etc. perhaps he stalled it while trying to climb over the ridge. I’m assuming he survived so only he knows the answer. People are going to do dumb things no matter how much education and training they have. Problem is a lot of the time it isn’t just their lives that they put in jeopardy but their passengers and you and I sharing the air space with them.
Reading all these incidents every morning is beginning to get a little depressing. Kind of makes me want to stay on the ground. Of course one of these fools were probably hit me with their car as I was walking home.