What happened
At approximately 03:59, a pilot operating without an instrument rating began a visual flight rules departure into the night. The aircraft initially climbed to a maximum altitude of 4,700 feet MSL while maintaining a south-southeasterly heading of roughly 150 degrees. During the flight, the aircraft descended to 4,500 feet MSL and subsequently to 3,800 feet MSL. Radar contact with the aircraft was lost at 04:11:37.
Following the loss of radar contact, the aircraft traveled an additional 4.6 nautical miles on its established heading before striking trees in an upslope mountainous region. The impact occurred at a magnetic heading of 150 degrees. The aircraft, which was destroyed upon impact and by a subsequent fire, came to rest approximately 146 feet below an east-west ridge line. The elevation of the trees at the site was 3,299 feet MSL, while a nearby ridge to the south sat at 3,445 feet MSL. At the time of the accident, cloud tops in the vicinity were estimated at 4,000 feet MSL.
Findings
An investigation of the engines, propellers, flight controls, and overall airframe structure showed no signs of mechanical malfunction or failure prior to the collision. However, a discrepancy was noted regarding the altimeter settings. While the departure and destination airports were reporting pressures of 30.02 and 30.01 inches Hg respectively, the aircraft's altimeter was set to 29.91 inches Hg. This incorrect altimeter setting would have caused the instrument to display an altitude 100 feet lower than the actual altitude.