Piper PA-28-161 N42997 accident near Benton, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during the night flight.

NTSB analysis

The instrument-rated pilot was on the return leg of a three-leg cross country flight at night when he encountered clouds in his path. He considered climbing above the clouds, but he was concerned that he would not be able to descend back down through them. He elected to descend below the clouds, and misjudged the distance between the clouds and the ground. The airplane collided with trees and terrain at an elevation of about 2,200 feet in a remote, wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage by impact forces and post-crash fire. The pilot reported he did not see the trees or the terrain prior to the collision. Additionally, he stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA104 for the full record.