Incident Overview
According to the investigation, the pilot obtained a weather briefing prior to the flight and was advised that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. At the conclusion of the briefing, he indicated he would be getting back with the Flight Service Station specialist. The pilot then told the airport manager that he would 'go up and take a look at the weather' and, if it was too bad, he would return and land.
Flight and Impact
Witnesses near the crash site heard and saw the aircraft. They reported that it flew over in an easterly direction, then turned back to the west. Shortly after reversing direction, the aircraft struck a guy wire attached to a television tower, approximately 180 feet above ground level, and subsequently crashed to the ground.
Weather Conditions
A deputy sheriff estimated that ground level visibility was between one-eighth and one-quarter mile with fog present, and the ceiling was 150 to 200 feet. The deputy's estimation provides the only quantified weather observation in the report.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had logged only 2.9 hours of instrument flight time in the six months prior to the accident. No other pilot qualifications or experience levels are noted in the source.