Accident Overview
A private pilot, who was not instrument rated, departed from an uncontrolled airport for a cross-country flight on a dark night with light drizzle falling. The pilot made a downwind departure. A passing truck driver estimated the aircraft's altitude on the crosswind leg to be 200 feet above ground level (AGL). The aircraft then turned downwind and descended until it collided with a level plowed field that was devoid of lights.
Weather Conditions
Patchy ground fog was observed north of the crash site, in the direction the pilot was attempting to fly. A few minutes prior to taking off, the pilot had received an abbreviated weather briefing. The Flight Service Station (FSS) specialist informed the pilot that marginal weather conditions existed and did not recommend visual flight rules (VFR) flight.
Flight Path
The aircraft's departure involved a downwind leg, followed by a crosswind leg where the altitude was observed by a witness, then a turn to downwind and subsequent descent. The collision occurred with the terrain in a flat, unlit agricultural field.