Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while on final approach for landing, he descended the airplane too low and that the airplane's left wing contacted a tree. The airplane veered left and continued to descend before impacting the ground, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the engine firewall. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA053 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 28, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Smoketown, Pennsylvania
- Nearest airport
- Smoketown Airport (S37)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172F
- N-number
- N5613R
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.