Landing and Weather Conditions
The pilot landed at an airport where, by his own description, the weather was near zero in rain. Following the landing, he received two weather briefings.
Weather Briefings
During the first briefing, the pilot indicated that he could make the flight under instrument flight rules (IFR). The briefer advised of a SIGMET for severe icing conditions at lower altitudes in the Columbia area. During the second briefing, the pilot was advised that Columbia weather was indefinite 100 ft sky obscured, with 1/4 mi visibility in light drizzle and fog.
Departure and Collision
The flight departed Litchfield at about 1400. At 1530, the aircraft collided with the tops of trees on a steep, tree-covered bluff along the south side of the Missouri River.