What happened
On September 6, 1983, an aircraft departed Great Bend, Kansas, sometime after 20:00 Central Daylight Time. The flight was intended for Lucas, Kansas. The pilot was not rated for instrument flight rules. Three days later, on September 9, the aircraft was located at a crash site situated between the departure and destination airports.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failures. An autopsy of the pilot showed no signs of medical problems prior to the accident, despite the individual lacking a current medical certificate at the time of the flight.
Findings
Weather conditions played a significant role in the incident. A weather report from Russell, Kansas, at 22:56 indicated deteriorating conditions with an estimated ceiling of 2,500 feet broken, visibility of five miles with fog, and a temperature and dew point spread of zero degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions worsened overnight. By 05:55 the following morning, reports showed an indefinite ceiling, obscured visibility of one-half mile with fog, and temperatures near freezing.
The pilot had not obtained a weather briefing prior to departure. Operating without instrument ratings in rapidly deteriorating visual meteorological conditions likely contributed to the loss of situational awareness and subsequent crash.