Background
The pilot was conducting a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight from Montpelier, Vermont, to Burlington, Vermont, a distance of approximately 80 miles. A mountain range lies between the two locations.
Flight and Communication
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot radioed Burlington Approach Control and requested an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance to land at Burlington. The pilot reported being 10 miles northwest of Montpelier and was assigned a transponder code by the air traffic controller.
Collision
The air traffic controller observed that the aircraft was near a mountain at an unverified altitude of 3,500 feet. The controller alerted the pilot that he was 2 miles south of a 4,393-foot-high mountain. No response was received from the pilot. The aircraft subsequently collided with the east side of Mount Ethan Allen at an elevation of 3,580 feet. At impact, the aircraft was on a northwest heading.
Weather and Terrain
Visual flight conditions were present at the time, with a broken ceiling at 3,800 feet and scattered clouds at 4,000 feet. The terrain in the area is mountainous and hilly.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause findings stated that the in-flight collision with terrain occurred during the cruise phase of flight. The findings were: (1) VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) – performed by the pilot in command; (2) mountainous/hilly terrain condition; (3) inadequate clearance – performed by the pilot in command; and (4) weather condition of obscuration.