Flight Departure and Initial Conditions
A non-instrument rated private pilot departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under VFR weather conditions. Approximately nine minutes after takeoff, the pilot contacted air traffic control (ATC) and reported encountering snow flurries. The pilot requested any updated weather reports or pilot reports that might be pertinent to the current conditions.
Weather Information and Pilot Communications
ATC responded that there were scattered light snow showers in the area but had no other significant information available. Eleven minutes later, the pilot reported that he was losing ground contact due to heavy snow and requested vectors back to the departure airport. This transmission was the last communication received from the accident airplane.
Accident Sequence
The airplane impacted the ground approximately 30 miles southwest of the departure airport. The pilot had received a pre-flight weather briefing that included flight precautions for icing, possible instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, and occasional light snow and fog along the intended flight path.