At about 19:20 eastern time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 struck a ridge while in cruise flight, killing the pilot and two passengers. Witnesses said the airplane was flying in and out of the clouds in drizzly weather with low ceilings. The ridge was obscured by fog and mist. The pilot apparently attempted to pull up to get over the ridge, but crashed about 400 feet lower than the 1,800 feet msl peak. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating but reported 2,000 hours on his last medical certificate application.