 |
| The Piper Cherokee wreck Author's Photo |
On July 16, 1986, thick fog enveloped Lock Haven’s William T. Piper Memorial Airfield. Not discouraged by the adverse conditions, a pilot in his Piper Cherokee were preparing for take-off. The pilot throttled up and took off into the fog. Bald Eagle Mountain lay somewhere front of him, but the fog prevented him from gaining his bearings. Before he could react, the rocky tree covered slope of the mountain was rushing toward him.
The plane crashed through the trees and struck the mountainside about 2 miles from the airport. Miraculously, the pilot survived, albeit with severe injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident and published their report. Their conclusions placed a great deal of the blame on the pilot for insufficient take-off procedure. Additional factors were also listed: lack of pre-flight planning, pilot inexperience, and of course the fog. While the pilot was certainly fortunate to have survived his ordeal, other flights have ended more tragically.
 |
| The right wing lies a distance away from the main wreck Author's Photo |
 |
| The left wing wrapped itself around a tree on impact Author's Photo |
Just one year earlier in April 1985, a single engine plane en-route to Williamsport was passing over Lock Haven with a family of five onboard. The pilot radioed Piper Airport that the plane was experiencing engine failure. That was the last transmission from the plane before it impacted the mountain less than a mile from the airport. Snow squalls kept searchers from finding the plane for several days. When the wreck was located, it was confirmed that there were no survivors.
While not connected to Piper Airfield, the worst airplane incident involving Bald Eagle Mountain was the loss of Allegheny Airlines Flight 371 on December 1, 1959. Flight 371 was in a holding pattern around Williamsport Regional Airport when it received clearance to land. As it exited its pattern, a malfunctioning compass may have led the pilot to believe he was flying towards the airport.
When the plane flew out of some clouds, Bald Eagle Mountain filled the plane’s windshield.
Unable to alter the plane’s course in time, Flight 371 slammed into the slope. 25 out of the 26 people onboard perished in what still stands as the deadliest plane crash in the region's history.
The wreck of the Piper Cherokee on Bald Eagle Mountain stands as a reminder of the perils pilots can face as they artfully maintain the equilibrium between themselves, their machine, and gravity. There is no easy way to reach the site and no trails exist. Climbing the mountain from either side or direction will result in a steep rugged ascent. It is a hike best done when the vegetation is down in the fall and early winter, but before snowfall makes it treacherous. The wreckage is jagged and extremely sharp. Please use caution while exploring.
 |
| Inside the cabin. The engine and controls were removed during the investigation. Author's Photo |
 |
| Bald Eagle Valley is visible below the wreck Author's Photo |
National Transportation Safety Board (1988). NTSB Identification: NYC86LA185. Retrieved from:
https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20001213X34308
The wreck of a single-engine aircraft was found Wednesday. (1985 April 11). UPI. Retrieved from: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/04/11/The-wreckage-of-a-single-engine-aircraft-was-found-Wednesday/3646482043600/
Van Auken, R. (2020). Crash site remains worst airline disaster in Lycoming County history. Hands on Heritage. https://handsonheritage.com/crash-site-remains-worst-airline-disaster-in-lycoming-county-history/
No comments:
Post a Comment