Incident
An aircraft collided with trees on unlit terrain during nighttime hours. The accident occurred after the aircraft performed a low pass at an altitude of approximately 60 feet above ground level with its landing gear extended. The aircraft impacted several trees over an area spanning about 175 feet in a wooded location.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported that the aircraft's clearance lights were not operating initially. The runway lights were subsequently turned on, at which point the aircraft's strobe light became visible. The runway lights could have been activated by keying the radio microphone on frequency 123.45 MHz. After the crash, witnesses heard the sound of impact followed by silence.
Post-Impact Findings
Examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed that the light switch and alternator switch were both in the "OFF" position, while the battery switch was in the "ON" position. The alternator pulley was found with a fracture separation, although the mode of separation was not determined.
Flight Information
The aircraft had departed Mansfield, Massachusetts, destined for Mansfield, New Hampshire, at 1845 Eastern Standard Time. The pilot had planned a return flight in approximately four hours.