What happened
While performing a cross-country flight from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Clarksburg, West Virginia, a private pilot, who was not instrument rated, encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Prior to the accident, the pilot had obtained a computer radar weather report in Statesville, North Carolina, which indicated a 4500-foot ceiling and 20 miles of visibility.
During the flight, the pilot climbed to an altitude of 9000 feet in an attempt to avoid cloud layers. After successfully crossing the first mountain ridge, the pilot began a descent to 500 feet. To assist in regaining visual contact with the ground, the pilot slowed the aircraft to 70 knots. During this descent, the aircraft passed through an overcast layer and collided with trees.
At the time of the accident, the nearest weather station, located approximately 10 miles from the site, reported obscured skies and visibility of only one-eighth of a mile in light drizzle and fog.