What happened
Prior to takeoff, a pilot without an instrument rating received a briefing from the Weather Service Office for a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight with no filed flight plan. During the flight, the pilot obtained an additional briefing from an Advisory Flight Service Station (AFSS), which advised that VFR flight was not recommended.
The pilot notified Center that he was climbing to 7,000 feet in an attempt to remain above the weather. As the aircraft approached its destination, the pilot informed Approach Control that he was flying on top of an overcast layer and was searching for a location to descend. Following this communication, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost.
An approach controller subsequently observed a slow-moving primary radar target located south of the destination airport. However, after the target disappeared from radar, the controller could not determine the identity of the aircraft or its last known position.
The investigation
The investigation determined that at the time of impact with trees, the aircraft was in a nearly level attitude before transitioning to a path toward the terrain at approximately a 60-degree downward angle. Damage to the trees and the propeller indicated that engine power was being developed at the moment of impact.
A weather study of the area revealed a forecast consisting of heavy rain, reduced visibility, and moderate turbulence below the cloud layers.