Background
On the evening of May 20, the pilot-in-command (PIC) telephoned the Flight Service Station (FSS) at Huron, South Dakota, to obtain en route weather from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Sioux City, Iowa. The forecast indicated instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with intermittent thunderstorms along the route throughout the forecast period. The PIC departed Sioux Falls at an unknown time and arrived in Sioux City to rendezvous with his passengers.
Weather
A search of official communication records was conducted to determine if the PIC had sought additional weather observations before departing from Sioux City. No such communications were located. Weather conditions around the time of the accident were considered IMC with light rain.
Accident Details
The PIC was not instrument rated or experienced in IFR flight, and the departure was at night. The aircraft impacted level terrain about 3 miles northeast of the airport in an open field near an area of bluffs.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage failed to disclose any pre-impact malfunction of the engine or flight controls.