Flight Origin and Weather Briefings
The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate without an instrument rating, initiated a night flight from Hamilton, Canada, to Berlin, New Jersey. He made a stop in Buffalo, New York, where he received a weather briefing that included a VFR flight not recommended (VNR) advisory due to rain, low clouds, and fog. Despite the advisory, he departed under visual flight rules (VFR) and contacted the Williamsport Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) for an en route briefing. He then made an unplanned stop in Elmira, New York.
Additional Briefings and Continued Flight
While on the ground in Elmira, the pilot obtained two additional weather briefings, both of which again included VNR advisories. He subsequently departed VFR and contacted the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) for VFR advisories. The pilot reported his altitude as 3,200 feet, but the center advised that 4,200 feet was the minimum radar vectoring altitude. He eventually climbed to 4,000 feet.
Loss of Radar Contact and Wreckage
Approximately one and a half minutes after reaching 4,000 feet, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The last few radar contacts indicated a left turn at approximately twice the standard rate. The ground impact evidence showed the airplane was in a left turn at the moment of impact. Witnesses on the ground reported rain and fog in the area.
Post-Accident Examination
A thorough examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction.