Background
The pilot requested and received clearance to fly direct to an uncontrolled airport. The airport had no terminal navigation facilities, and the aircraft was not equipped with RNAV type equipment.
Weather Conditions
At 0745, a special weather observation at nearby Athens indicated indefinite ceiling, sky obscured, visibility 1/4 mile with fog. An earwitness reported that visibility was 40 to 50 feet with dense fog. Approach minimums for the approach were 500 feet ceiling and 1 mile visibility.
Approach and Accident
At 0801, Atlanta Center cleared the pilot to intercept the Toccoa 229 radial and proceed inbound via the VOR/DME Runway 6 approach. The pilot was instructed to descend and maintain 4000 feet when on the radial. The pilot was cleared for the approach. At 0803, before reaching the initial approach fix on the 33-mile DME arc, the pilot was advised that the airport was 1 mile off his right wing.
The aircraft tracked outbound in the vicinity of the 229 radial, then turned back toward the airport. However, it never became established inbound on the radial. Subsequently, the aircraft tracked right of course and struck trees on rising terrain approximately 3.25 miles east of the airport at 1660 feet MSL. The minimum descent altitude for the approach was 1920 feet.
Findings
Atlanta Center experienced a shift change as the aircraft arrived. It did not advise that radar service was terminated nor advise of weather during the approach. This was the pilot's first approach to this airport.