Accident Details
A pilot conducting a round-robin flight departed from a controlled airport at night. The flight was returning to the non-controlled airport from which it had originated approximately three hours earlier. While en route, the aircraft was cruising at an altitude roughly 500 feet below a broken to overcast cloud ceiling.
Sequence of Events
During the cruise segment, the pilot initiated a turn that directed the aircraft toward rising terrain. The turn occurred while the aircraft was still in cruise flight. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with trees about 150 feet below the summit of a heavily forested ridge.
Environmental Conditions
The departure was conducted under dark-night conditions. The cloud cover consisted of a broken to overcast ceiling, with the aircraft flying below it. The terrain consisted of a heavily forested ridge.
Post-Accident Information
The accident occurred during the return leg of the flight. No further details regarding the aircraft, pilot, or aftermath were provided in the source.