Incident Overview
A pilot departed on a local flight without obtaining a preflight weather briefing. The pilot, who was not instrument-rated, later attempted to return to the point of departure. During this attempt, the aircraft flew into a line of snow showers that had moved in off Lake Michigan.
Pilot Actions
The pilot contacted air traffic control (ATC), who provided radar service and vectors to visual meteorological conditions (VMC) for approximately 30 minutes. However, the pilot could not hold a heading long enough to fly out of the snow shower.
Witness Reports
Witnesses on the ground reported hearing the aircraft's engine running erratically prior to the crash.
Investigative Findings
The aircraft crashed in a densely wooded area. Investigators found the induction air filter frozen and covered with ice.