Background
A non-instrument-rated Canadian pilot received a weather briefing that included an advisory that VFR flight was not recommended. Despite the advisory, the pilot filed a VFR flight plan and proceeded with a night cross-country flight.
Flight
During the flight, the pilot contacted Burlington Approach Control and reported being 29 miles east of Burlington at an altitude of 4,500 feet in snow showers. Radar contact was not made with the aircraft, and radio communication was not reestablished after that transmission.
Discovery and Investigation
On July 6, 1990, a hiker discovered the airplane approximately 40 miles northwest of Burlington Airport, where it had crashed on the east side of a mountain. This location was about 60 miles from the pilot's last reported position. Investigation found that the airplane had flown into the side of wooded mountainous terrain at an elevation of 2,000 feet while heading northwest.
Weather Information
At Burlington, which has an elevation of 334 feet, the reported weather conditions included scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, broken clouds at 3,600 feet, visibility of six miles with snow, and wind from 350 degrees at eight knots.