Accident Overview
A military flying club airplane was destroyed when it impacted a rocky hillside at an elevation of 3,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The accident occurred approximately 8 minutes after the pilot initiated a cross-country flight en route to the planned destination airport.
Flight Profile
According to radar data from the airplane's Mode C transponder, the pilot flew over a residence at an altitude of less than 400 feet above ground level. A witness at the residence, who recognized the airplane, estimated its altitude as 500 feet above ground level. Following this, the pilot continued flying at a low altitude above the terrain.
The airplane's radar track was lost as the pilot headed toward higher elevation terrain. The lowest altitude at which radar targets are typically observed 1 mile south of the accident site is between 3,600 and 3,700 feet msl. The accident airplane's track as it approached the accident site was not detected.
Terrain and Pilot Familiarity
The terrain leading to the accident site rises from 490 feet msl to 3,400 feet msl. The pilot was familiar with the accident site terrain, having flown over it in military helicopters. The airplane was observed flying up a valley at low altitude, but was unable to outclimb the rising terrain.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.