Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent stall/spin. Factors include gusty, unfavorable, high velocity winds, and turbulence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
At the time the CESSNA 170 arrived over the destination airport, the winds were reported to be strong, gusty, and multidirectional. A number of witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine overhead, followed shortly thereafter by the sound of the impact with the terrain. The aircraft was found to have impacted the terrain in a near vertical attitude, with impact and crush angles showing the airframe had a rotational moment to the left at the time of impact.
Source record
Factual narrative
-