John S. Burley, 59, of Windber, PA K!lled in Small Plane Crash in Forest County
New information has surfaced regarding the small plane crash that resulted in the death of a Pennsylvania man on Friday, December 29, 2023, in the remote Buzzard Swamp area of Forest County.
Norman J. Wimer, the Forest County Coroner, was called to the crash site by Marienville State Police on December 31 at 8:00 a.m. Accompanied by his Chief Deputy, Cody Magill, Wimer arrived at the scene around 10:15 a.m.
The victim, identified as John S. Burley, 59, from Winber, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Burley was the sole occupant aboard the single-engine aircraft, a Zenith STOL CH 701, categorized as an experimental plane.
The aircraft departed from Erie International in Erie, PA, on December 29, destined for Dubois Airport. The transponder signal of the plane was unexpectedly lost at 9:56 p.m., with no filed flight plan in place.
Aviation Accidents report from ADS-B data reveals that during its cruise flight, the airplane initiated a descent from 4500 feet to 3300 feet, followed by a sharp left climb, then a descending 360° spiral.
Although there was no evidence of fire, the plane was entirely destroyed, according to Coroner Wimer.
Wimer, a pilot himself, commended the safety and airworthiness of the Zenith STOL CH 701, mentioning that despite being a homemade aircraft, they have a solid safety record.
He further noted that Burley, although not instrument-rated, was deemed an experienced pilot by his family and a business associate.
The cause and manner of Burley’s death remain undisclosed. Wimer is consulting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), scheduled to arrive at the site on Monday, January 1, 2024. An official statement on the cause of death is anticipated later this week.
“I will not speculate on the reason for the crash,” said Wimer. “Determining the cause is the responsibility of the FAA and NTSB.”
Following the crash, Wimer praised the Pennsylvania State Police, Elkland Search and Rescue from Saint Mary’s, and Forest County Emergency Management for their efforts.
“Elkland Search and Rescue effectively located the crash site and assisted in recovering the remains from the wooded