Encounter with Adverse Weather
After the pilot of a Piper PA-28, registration N9334J, took off at night behind a Cessna (N65595), both pilots encountered marginal weather conditions. A passenger aboard N9334J reported that the two aircraft encountered low clouds and turbulence. According to the passenger, the two aircraft converged to within 100 feet of each other, and the PA-28 pilot took action to maintain separation from the Cessna.
The PA-28 pilot reported that after encountering adverse weather, he elected to return to the airport. However, his aircraft encountered severe turbulence and windshear that resulted in a sudden loss of altitude. He said he leveled the wings and applied full power, but the passenger panicked and pulled back on the yoke, which aggravated the situation.
Loss of Control and Impact
The passenger stated that he grabbed and pulled back on the yoke only when a nose-down collision with terrain was imminent. Subsequently, the aircraft impacted in a hayfield and slid on its belly to a stop. A witness reported low clouds, fog, and rain. The wind was reported to be gusting to 30 knots.