Accident Overview
During a night cross-country flight between departure and destination airports, the airplane collided with a mountain located along the route. The flight involved an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate but was not instrument rated, had no indication of prior flight experience over the accident route, which consisted of flat terrain interspersed with mountains.
Navigation and Radar Tracking
The pilot utilized a global positioning satellite (GPS) unit for navigation and was reportedly very comfortable with its use. Recorded radar data tracked the flight from departure to near the accident site. The majority of radar returns were uniformly spaced and followed an anticipated track toward the destination. Over approximately 9 minutes, radar returns showed a gradual increase in altitude from 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl) to 9,100 feet msl, at which point radar contact was lost. The last radar return was about 0.62 nautical miles from the accident location.
Accident Site and Wreckage
The accident site was situated on a mountain side at an elevation of 5,450 feet msl. The wreckage and ground scars were consistent with a high-speed descending flight path. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
Analysis of weather data disclosed cloud bases near 5,100 feet msl with tops above 11,000 feet msl. The freezing level was about 6,000 feet msl, with light to moderate icing likely above that level. Satellite imagery reviewed around the time of the accident showed an extensive area of overcast skies in the vicinity of the accident site.