JENKS TWP., Pa. – A tragic plane crash claimed the life of a man in Jenks Township, Forest County, Pennsylvania on Friday night. According to the Pennsylvania State Police in Marienville, the victim has been identified as 59-year-old John Burley from Winber, Somerset County, Pa. The crash occurred on Buzzard Swamp Road.
Burley was flying a 2006 Myers Winfred STOL CH 701, a fixed-wing single-engine plane. Flight data indicates he departed from Johnstown–Cambria County Airport in Somerset County, Pa., on December 29 at 3:35 p.m., landed at Erie International Airport at 5:20 p.m., and departed Erie International to return to Johnstown-Cambria around 8:58 p.m. His plane was last tracked approximately an hour later at 9:56 p.m.
The National Traffic Safety Board is conducting an ongoing investigation into the crash. According to ADS-B data, the airplane initiated a descent from 4500 feet to 3300 feet during cruise flight, followed by a steep left climb and then a descending 360° spiral.
This tragedy has undoubtedly left a deep impact, and the community mourns the loss of John Burley. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, and the results will hopefully provide insight into preventing future incidents. The aviation community, as well as friends and family of the victim, await further information from the National Traffic Safety Board.