Background
A pilot reviewed weather information in person at the College Station Flight Service Station (FSS) prior to departure but declined an official weather briefing. The flight departed in good visual flight rules (VFR) conditions.
Sequence of Events
The pilot flew into an area of known and forecasted low ceilings. En route, the flight path was over uninhabited ranch land between Kingsville and Brownsville, Texas. By this time, it was a dark night without any visible ground references.
At 2056 Central Daylight Time (CDT), the pilot contacted the Alice FSS and requested the Brownsville weather. The 1845 CDT weather report (1300 ft overcast) was provided, and the pilot was advised that a new weather sequence would be available at 2105 CDT. At 2105, the FSS tried to contact the pilot, but there was no reply.
Aftermath
On May 16, 1982, the aircraft was found where it had crashed in a steep dive with the right wing low.
Weather Conditions
The 2055 CDT Kingsville weather reported: 1500 ft scattered, 2000 ft overcast, visibility 7 miles. The 0854 CDT Brownsville weather reported: 1000 ft overcast, visibility 7 miles.