Background
After receiving his preflight weather briefing at 0715, the pilot took off at 1436 on a cross-country flight. There is no evidence that the pilot requested or received a current weather briefing prior to the accident. The pilot's flight log was never located, and his instrument certificate had expired in 1982.
Flight Sequence
After the aircraft was provided flight following instructions through an Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSA), the controller instructed the pilot to resume his own navigation and approved his climb to 4,500 feet MSL. The controller observed the aircraft's target enter into an area of mountainous terrain and asked the pilot if he saw the hills. The pilot replied that he saw some of them. Radio and radar contact with the aircraft was then lost.
Wreckage and Weather
Wreckage of the aircraft was found on February 14, 1987. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the occurrence were reported as: sky partially obscured; estimated ceiling broken at 2,200 feet MSL; overcast sky at 5,000 feet MSL; visibility 6 miles; temperature 67 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit; wind from 220 degrees at 5 knots; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.