Accident Overview
On January 2, 2011, at approximately 1917 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N42997) was destroyed after colliding with trees and terrain near Benton, Pennsylvania. The airplane was operated by Tech Aviation Flight School. The pilot, a certificated private pilot with single-engine land and instrument ratings, was conducting a solo instructional flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from Williamsport, Pennsylvania (IPT) around 1900, destined for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport (AVP), Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. No flight plan was filed.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Piper PA-28-161, was completely destroyed by fire. Both wings separated from the fuselage and were found adjacent to it. The cockpit and all flight instruments were burned beyond recognition. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. No mechanical issues were reported with the airplane during the flight.
Weather Conditions
Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the accident area. Weather recorded at AVP at 1901 included winds from 340 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, a broken ceiling at 2,600 feet, temperature 2°C, dew point -3°C, and altimeter 29.96 inHg. At IPT (about 22 nm west of the accident site), weather at 1854 included winds from 290 degrees at 14 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 2°C, dew point -8°C, and altimeter 30.04 inHg.
Pilot Statement
A Pennsylvania State Patrolman reported that the pilot stated he was trying to maneuver under a cloud when the accident occurred. During an interview on April 5, 2011, after recovering from his injuries, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was on the return leg of a three-leg cross-country flight at night. He encountered clouds, considered climbing above them but feared he could not descend back through, so he decided to go under the clouds. He misjudged the distance between the clouds and the ground, stating he "just ran out of space" and did not see the trees or ground before impact.
Wreckage Examination
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the accident site, located in a remote wooded area about 32 nautical miles west of AVP at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet. The airplane was completely consumed by post-impact fire. The cockpit and instruments were unrecognizable due to heat damage. The wings were torn off and lay beside the fuselage.