Incident Details
A student pilot on a solo cross-country flight departed from Perry, Georgia, with planned stops in Augusta and Jessup, Georgia. He was expected to return to Perry at approximately 1600 EDT.
Flight History
The flight proceeded uneventfully to Jessup, where it was delayed due to a thunderstorm. After departing Jessup, the pilot became disoriented and requested navigational assistance from Macon Approach Control. The pilot subsequently returned to Perry after nightfall.
Approach and Accident
Upon entering the traffic pattern for landing, the pilot descended on final approach but flew too low. The aircraft contacted the top of a 100-foot-tall pine tree and crashed.
Altimeter Setting
Investigation revealed that before departing Jessup, the pilot had set his altimeter to the elevation of the Perry-Fort Valley Airport. With this setting, the altimeter indicated approximately 300 feet higher than the actual altitude.