Incident
The pilot of a Beech 35, N2050W, contacted the Leesburg Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) to file a round trip IFR flight plan. The briefing specialist inadvertently inputted the departure time as 1130 UTC instead of 1530 UTC (1130 local). The Beech departed under VFR, and the pilot attempted to obtain an IFR clearance. The controller advised that no IFR flight plan existed in the system. The pilot stated he would proceed VFR.
Collision
En route, the Beech was on a north-northwesterly course and began to converge with a Piper PA-32, N3940W, on an east-northeasterly course at approximately the same altitude. The Beech pilot contacted an ATC facility and reported level at 5,500 feet. He was given a discrete transponder code and complied. The controller immediately advised of traffic off his left, but no acknowledgement was received. Both aircraft crashed into a rural area.
Investigation
Investigation revealed that the nose landing gear of the Piper collided with the left wing tip of the Beech. The applicable Federal Aviation Regulations require that while flying VFR between 180 and 359 degrees magnetic course above 3,000 feet agl, the pilot should fly at even thousand feet altitudes plus 500 feet. VFR flight between 0 and 179 degrees above 3,000 feet agl should be at odd thousands plus 500 feet.