Incident Details
During a cross-country flight at night, the pilot reported attempting to deviate from the planned route due to deteriorating weather conditions. While doing so, the pilot failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance, and the airplane made contact with the top of a tree. After the collision, the pilot continued the flight and landed the airplane uneventfully at an airport approximately 23 miles from the location of the tree contact.
Aircraft Damage
A subsequent examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the wings and windshield. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, and the pilot did not report any such issues prior to the incident.
Pilot Actions
The pilot acknowledged the event and provided the report to authorities. No further details about the pilot's actions or the specific weather conditions were disclosed in the source.