Introduction
An airplane operating under night visual flight rules (VFR) encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during cruise flight at an altitude of 2,200 feet. The subsequent loss of visual reference led to a collision with trees and terrain as the pilot attempted to return to visual flight conditions (VMC).
Flight and Weather Conditions
The nearest weather observation facility, located approximately 20 miles west of the accident site at an elevation of 705 feet above mean sea level (MSL), reported a ceiling of 1,200 feet and visibility of 7 miles 45 minutes before the accident. The elevation in the accident area ranged between 1,100 and 1,300 feet MSL. Prior to departure, the pilot obtained forecasts that indicated marginal visual flight conditions due to ceilings.
Pilot Actions
During the flight, the pilot reported paralleling a highway and using the lights from vehicles to judge visibility. When the vehicle lights became obscured by clouds, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn. During the turn, visibility decreased to zero. The pilot attempted to regain outside visual reference but then looked at the instruments, finding the airplane in a left-wing-low dive. He reduced power, leveled the wings, and pulled up the nose. As the airplane leveled, it broke out of the clouds, and the pilot saw the tree line just before impact.
Collision
The airplane subsequently collided with trees and terrain. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, number of occupants, injuries, or damage incurred.