What happened
During a flight intended to collect cargo, an instrument-rated pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Prior to the flight, the pilot had received three separate weather briefings that warned of low visibility, mountain obscuration, and snowfall. While navigating the area, the pilot reported seeing lights from a university and requested a contact approach. The pilot also indicated an intention to utilize an ILS approach if the contact approach proved unsuccessful.
As the aircraft reached a position approximately 4 miles south of the airport, air traffic control in New York cleared the pilot for a contact approach to runway 24. During this period, a witness observed a low-flying aircraft through heavy snow and a passing snow squall, noting the brief visibility of a tail light. Shortly after this sighting, the sound of a collision was heard. The wreckage was subsequently discovered 3.3 miles south of the airport, situated atop Mount Nittany at an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was killed in the accident.
Findings
- The flight was conducted under conditions of heavy snow and low visibility.
- The pilot had been notified of potential mountain obscuration and snow via multiple preflight briefings.
- A snow squall was active in the vicinity at the time of the impact.