Cessna 305A N5171G
1 May 1999 · Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 1 May 1999 at about 17:34 local time, a Cessna 305A registered N5171G was involved in an accident near Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:34
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hilltown, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nearest airport
- Philadelphia Glider Counc (OPAP)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Cessna 305A
- Registration
- N5171G
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- IAD99FA041
People
3 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The inadequate lookout of the pilots-in-command of the glider and the towplane.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The Cessna was in an approximate 10 degree right bank climbing turn, towing a glider. As the Cessna reached approximately 1,000 feet; the pilot (witness) of the glider being towed saw another glider, a Grob, approaching from his 11:00 position. The Grob was in an approximate 15 degree right bank descending turn. The pilot being towed believed that the Cessna and Grob were on a collision course, and he released from the tow airplane. He saw the two aircraft collide, and the Cessna spin to the ground. He did not see the Grob after impact, but saw fluttering debris. Both the Cessna and Grob were equipped with communication radios.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 305A 305A | N5171G | - | Destroyed |
| Burkhart Grob G-103 TWIN II G-103 TWIN | N47938 | - | Destroyed |
Other Cessna 305 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct 1999 | Cessna 305C | Morganton, North Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Oct 1999 | Cessna 305A | Torrance, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Sep 1999 | Cessna 305A | Warehouse Point, Connecticut, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 May 1999 | Cessna 305 | Grundy, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Dec 1999 | Cessna 305A | Akron, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Mar 1999 | Cessna 305A | Coalinga, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Sep 1999 | Beechcraft A23 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States | Joseph T. Gembusia | No injuries | - |
| 8 Aug 1999 | Piper PA28R-180 | Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Jan 1999 | Douglas DC-9 | Plainfield, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 1999 | Cessna 177RG | Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jan 1999 | Grove AIR COMMAND | Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1999 | Piper PA-22-108 | Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |