Incident Summary
The flight was conducted at night over an unpopulated area in reduced visibility due to haze. According to radar data, the pilot, who was not instrument rated, struggled to maintain a constant heading and altitude during the 15-minute flight. Shortly after receiving the current runway and altimeter setting for the destination airport, the airplane was observed to execute a descending right turn that resulted in impact with trees and the terrain.
Flight Details
The pilot had voiced concerns about the hazy conditions to several individuals before departure. The flight duration was approximately 15 minutes based on radar tracking. The exact time of day was not specified beyond nighttime conditions.
Weather Conditions
Visibility at the time of the accident was reduced due to haze. Weather information from a station located 36 miles from the accident site was available, though it may not have fully represented local conditions. Pilots operating in the vicinity estimated visibility to vary between 1 and 2 miles with fog present.
Pilot Information
The pilot was not instrument rated. Night currency and total flight experience could not be determined from available records. The pilot had expressed concerns about the hazy weather prior to the flight.