Night VFR Departure Ends in Terrain Impact Near Princeton (N735VY)

Accident Overview and Weather Conditions The aircraft struck terrain approximately 1.55 nautical miles south of the departure airport during night instrument meteorological conditions. At the time of the accident, weather records indicated broken to overcast ceilings at 500 feet above ground level and visibilities ranging from 7 to 10 statute miles. ## Flight Planning and Weather Briefing The pilot, who was not instrument rated, contacted the Princeton Automated Flight Service Station to file a visual flight rules flight plan. He indicated a planned departure between 0530 and 0545 Central Daylight Time. The flight plan was never activated. The pilot did not request, and was not given, a standard weather briefing. Records also showed that he did not obtain weather information through a direct user access terminal service. The departure airport, however, had a commercial weather display terminal and an on-airport weather radio broadcast available. ## Witness Observations A pilot-rated witness reported seeing an aircraft take off around the time of the accident. The witness stated that the aircraft was about 0.5 statute miles southeast of the airport at approximately 200 feet above ground level. The witness noted that the climb-out was shallower than a normal departure. The witness also reported ground fog over cornfields and in low-lying areas, and stated that the sky was not overcast because stars were visible. ## Aircraft Condition and Pilot Experience No pre-impact anomalies were found with the airframe, engine, or accessories. The pilot had 7.3 hours of night flight experience, of which 0.3 hours were without a flight instructor. The pilot's last logged night flight was more than two years before the accident.