Aircraft Destroyed in Terrain Collision After Loss of Control (N7876W)

Accident Overview and Witness Account The aircraft was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain following a loss of control during cruise. A witness residing approximately one mile northwest of the accident site reported being awakened from a deep sleep by the sound of an airplane engine. He observed the aircraft's lights at what appeared to be tree top height, about one-quarter to one-half mile to the east-southeast. The witness noted that it was foggy and that a low cloud layer was present as light began to appear that morning. The accident site was located in an uninhabited wetlands conservation area on a 150-foot wide by 10-foot high hill situated between a small river and a marsh area. Initial impact occurred on the north side of the hill, with the main wreckage coming to rest on the opposite side, approximately 120 feet from the initial impact point. A detailed post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted, and no evidence consistent with a pre-impact failure or malfunction was observed. ## Weather Conditions and Pilot Briefing Weather reporting in the vicinity of the accident site was limited. The departure airport recorded visibilities of one statute mile at the approximate time of departure. Airports in the vicinity of Kansas City, about 50 miles north and northwest of the accident site, recorded instrument meteorological conditions with visibilities of one-quarter statute mile in fog and vertical visibilities of 100 feet. Airports south of the route of flight reported visual meteorological conditions. Satellite imagery depicted an area of low stratus and fog over the region, with cloud tops of approximately 5,000 feet mean sea level. The non-instrument rated pilot contacted a Flight Service Station and obtained a pre-flight weather briefing. The briefer advised the pilot that an advisory for instrument flight rules conditions was in effect for his route of flight and that visual flight rules flight was not recommended. The briefer provided weather conditions at Emporia, 47 miles northwest of the departure airport, as overcast clouds at 200 feet above ground level and three-quarters statute mile visibility in mist. Conditions at Chanute, 13 miles south of the departure airport, were clear below 12,000 feet above ground level and six miles visibility in mist. The briefer commented on the limited weather reporting in the area, stating that the problem in that area was very limited weather reporting except for Emporia and Chanute, which were drastically different. The pilot replied that they were pretty close to Chanute so he thought he would be okay. The area forecast in effect at the time of the accident was for broken ceilings at 1,000 feet above ground level and cloud tops at 5,000 feet mean sea level over the eastern one-third of Kansas. The southwest quarter of Missouri was forecast to have overcast ceilings at 5,000 feet above ground level. The northwest quarter of Missouri was forecast for overcast ceilings at 1,000 feet above ground level and cloud tops to 4,000 feet mean sea level. Civil twilight began at 0641 and sunrise was at 0708. ## Radar Data and Pilot Experience Radar track data depicted the accident aircraft proceeding from a point about one and one-half miles east of the departure airport, on an east-northeast course at a maximum altitude of 5,200 feet mean sea level. Final radar contact was at 4,900 feet mean sea level, about one-half mile northwest of the accident site. In the one and one-half minutes immediately prior to the final radar data point, the aircraft entered a marked right turn. The radar track depicted was consistent with a gradually decreasing turn radius. The lowest expected radar coverage in the vicinity of the accident site was 3,800 feet mean sea level. The pilot's total logged flight time was 158.3 hours, including 11.1 hours simulated instrument and 0.2 hours actual instrument flight time.