Accident Overview
A night visual flight rules (VFR) flight ended when the airplane collided with wooded, rocky terrain at the top of a mountain. The accident site was located approximately 3.5 miles northeast of an uncontrolled airport. The flight had been receiving VFR advisories from an approach controller and was navigating by dead reckoning.
Flight and Pilot Information
The flight departed at night with two occupants: the pilot/owner and a pilot-rated passenger. They were sharing flight duties during the third of a series of flights together. The pilot-rated passenger had performed pilot duties on the second flight. According to the pilot, the passenger was flying the aircraft when the accident occurred.
Weather Conditions
Low clouds and fog prevailed at the time of the accident. No formal weather briefing was obtained; the pilots only checked the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) of a nearby airport. The ATIS at Allentown reported 400 feet scattered, 1,100 feet overcast, visibility 6 miles with fog. The terminal forecast called for 400 feet broken, visibility 5 miles with fog, occasionally visibility 2 miles with fog.
Flight Progress
The pilots were proceeding toward an uncontrolled airport located near a ridge. The ridge had an elevation higher than the airplane's altitude. The approach controller inquired if the pilot was familiar with "the ridge just to the north of Slatington." The pilot replied that she was familiar but could not see it. As the flight continued, the controller provided the relative bearing and distance to the airport twice. After the second advisory, engine power was increased and a turn toward the airport was initiated.
Collision
Shortly after the turn, the airplane collided with wooded, rocky terrain at the top of a mountain, about 3.5 miles northeast of the airport.