Accident Details
A student pilot and a passenger took off at night in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) characterized by low ceilings, fog, and rain. A witness who saw the aircraft fly overhead confirmed that the ceiling was very low and that rain was falling, sometimes heavily. The aircraft subsequently crashed approximately 2 miles from the airport after flying into trees on terrain rising at about 5 degrees.
Occupant Injuries and Toxicology
The passenger was fatally injured, while the pilot walked to a roadway and received assistance. Before the flight, both occupants were seen consuming alcoholic beverages. Blood drawn from the pilot about four hours after the accident showed an alcohol level of 0.075% (75 mg/dL). The passenger's blood alcohol level was 0.085% (85 mg/dL). Police reported that the passenger was not wearing a seat belt.
Aircraft Ownership
The aircraft was owned by the student pilot's father, who stated that the pilot took it without permission.