Flight Details
A pilot filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan and departed despite forecast marginal flight conditions. While en route, the destination airport changed to instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, and this information was relayed to the pilot. The pilot responded that he intended to continue and get as close to Chattanooga as possible.
Radar Contact Loss
Radar contact with the aircraft was maintained until 2335, when the aircraft was observed tracking westbound and then reversing course to the east. No further radar contact was established after that time.
Weather Considerations
The pilot had been operating under VFR in conditions that were forecast to be marginal. The change of the destination to IFR indicated deteriorating weather, but the pilot chose to proceed.