The Flight
A non-instrument rated pilot departed on a night flight intending to return home under visual flight rules. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing or file a flight plan. At the time of departure, instrument meteorological conditions existed along the intended route.
Overdue Report and Search
When the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination, the pilot's family reported him overdue. An aerial search was conducted along the aircraft's assumed flight route, but was unsuccessful. Later, a National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) of the aircraft's radar track was obtained from the FAA's Air Traffic Control center.
Wreckage Discovery
Using the NTAP as a guide, a search aircraft located the wreckage in mountainous terrain at the end of the radar plot. The aircraft was found at the location corresponding to the final radar return.
Findings
The pilot was not instrument rated and had chosen to fly at night under visual flight rules without a weather briefing or flight plan. Instrument meteorological conditions were present along the route at the time of the flight. The aircraft's wreckage was discovered in mountainous terrain at the conclusion of its radar track.