Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance from trees during a precautionary landing. His becoming lost was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot became lost and flew beyond the intended destination. He noticed the airplane was low on fuel, so he decided to make a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a tree.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 7, 1996, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172A, N7371T, was substantially damaged upon landing rollout in a field near Pleasant Valley, New York. The pilot, sole occupant, received serious injuries for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The departure point was Riverside Airport, Utica, New York. The destination was Oneonta Municipal Airport, Oneonta, New York. According to the FAA, the pilot became lost and overflew the intended destination. The pilot noticed the airplane was low on fuel and he attempted a precautionary landing on a field. The airplane struck a tree during the landing roll. -