Accident Overview
An aircraft conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight at dusk collided with the 1,500-foot level of a hill. Radar data indicated the airplane was descending from 2,000 feet mean sea level (msl) until radar contact was lost at approximately 1,500 feet msl. The final recorded ground speed was 194 knots.
Route and Weather Conditions
The pilot's chosen route was about 5 miles west of the path routinely flown by company pilots. Although this route crossed higher terrain, it was a more direct course to the destination. A company pilot flying a few minutes ahead reported that it was necessary to descend to between 1,200 and 1,500 feet msl to maintain VFR. A low-pressure system approaching from the west had produced low stratus clouds, rain, and fog. At the time of the accident, a nearby weather reporting station recorded a broken ceiling at 1,300 feet above ground level with 5 to 6 miles visibility in light rain and mist.
Pilot's Schedule
On the evening of the accident, the pilot was scheduled to deliver a speech as her final examination in an evening college course. She had informed the instructor that she might arrive late but was told that the class could not be held past its scheduled dismissal time to accommodate her.