Incident
On a flight from West Mifflin to Connellsville Airport, the pilot of a twin-engine airplane encountered deteriorating weather conditions including fog, low ceiling, and rain. While descending, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient, causing the aircraft to strike a hillside and crash in Uniontown. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the collision with trees and subsequent crash were caused by improper IFR operation. Several contributing factors were identified: erratic airways facilities, low ceiling, rain, fog, intermittent ADF ground line, a vector to the ADF from the north at 5,000 feet followed by clearance for the approach with a minimum altitude procedure turn of 3,500 feet, and obscured mountain tops.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was a collision with trees and subsequent crash due to improper IFR operation. Contributing factors included erratic airways facilities, low ceiling, rain, fog, intermittent ADF ground line, a vector to the ADF from the north at 5,000 feet and clearance for the approach with a minimum altitude procedure turn of 3,500 feet, and obscured mountain tops.