Accident Details
A non-instrument-rated private pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight when the airplane struck trees on rising terrain in a mountainous area. The pilot was found alive at the accident site and transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was found switched off.
Flight and Weather
Prior to departure, the pilot received three weather briefings over a period of eight hours. These briefings indicated that the weather along the intended route was deteriorating and included mountain obscuration. Despite these conditions, the pilot departed. While flying in a mountainous area, the pilot descended below the level of the surrounding hills, leading to the collision with trees on rising terrain.
Search and Rescue
After the accident, a search was initiated. The location of the accident site remained unknown until the following morning, when the passenger walked to a road and notified emergency personnel. The pilot was then found alive at the scene and transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Survivor Account
The passenger reported that they had been operating in snow and were in fog at the time of the collision. A witness stated that the tops of the hills were obscured with clouds.