Night VFR Accident Involving Poor Visibility and Low Experience (N5944E)

Accident Overview and Weather Conditions The pilot had planned to conduct three takeoffs and landings to maintain night currency. No flight plan was filed, and the pilot did not request a weather briefing from Flight Service. At the time of takeoff, visibility was poor due to heavy mist. A witness reported that visibility deteriorated further when a wall of fog covered the airfield while the aircraft was in the traffic pattern. ## Witness Account and Impact The witness heard the aircraft at full power and observed it flying approximately 100 feet over the hangars, with the landing gear illuminated by the rotating beacon. The witness stated that the pilot throttled up to perform a go-around. The witness continued to hear the aircraft until impact. ## Post-Accident Findings Emergency crews from four municipalities required 1 hour and 20 minutes to locate the wreckage on the airport due to heavy fog. The airspeed indicator needle was found crushed against the face at the 160-knot striation. The engine tachometer needle was crushed at the 3,200 RPM striation, which was 500 RPM above the placarded redline. ## Pilot Experience A review of the pilot's logbook showed 135 hours of total flight experience. The pilot had logged 1.8 hours in the month before the accident. Prior to that, the pilot had not flown for 7 months, and the last night experience was 18 months before the accident. The pilot was not instrument rated.