THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot elected to attempt solo cross country flight as a student pilot at night, crossing significant terrain deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot eventually ended up in zero zero conditions with no previous instrument flight training and became disoriented, and then flew directly into terrain. There is no record of the pilot having a medical or pilots license or any instrument training..
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 8/26/2026 – 22 months after the accident: The student pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft avoid night flight in mountainous areas during periods of decreasing ceiling and visibility. The DTSB recommends that pilots choose one: Night. IMC. Ice. Terrain. In may cases, choose none. Delay and avoid. Wait until daylight next day and only progress when weather is suitable for VFR flight.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →