Incident Overview
At 2135 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot contacted the Lansing Flight Service Station (FSS) and requested a weather forecast for Detroit City Airport and winds aloft. The briefing was provided, but no flight plan was filed. Shortly after 2200, the pilot departed from Mason, Michigan, on a passenger flight to Ann Arbor, Michigan. At 2252, the pilot again contacted the Lansing FSS to obtain the current Lansing weather. After landing at Ann Arbor, two additional night passenger flights were conducted: one to Detroit City Airport and then back to Ann Arbor.
Final Flight
Following the second landing at Ann Arbor at approximately 0200, the pilot went to a restaurant for food. At about 0400, the pilot took off alone on a flight back to Mason. At approximately 0426, the aircraft crashed about 11.5 miles northwest of the departure airport. The aircraft impacted on a westerly heading in an estimated 58-degree descent.
Witness and Examination
A witness located about three-quarters of a mile north-northwest of the crash site reported that the aircraft sounded like it was on a southeast heading when it passed over her home. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact malfunction or failure.
Weather and Pilot Status
Unfavorable weather conditions were developing, including low ceiling, rain, and fog. At 0530, heavy fog was reported at Dexter. The pilot did not have a current medical certificate.