Incident Overview
A pilot who was not instrument rated attempted a VFR cross-country flight under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The aircraft and the four persons on board were missing for three days. The aircraft was subsequently found crashed into a frozen lake, located halfway to the intended destination.
Flight Details
The pilot undertook a VFR cross-country flight despite lacking an instrument rating. The flight encountered IMC conditions along the route. The aircraft came to rest on a frozen lake after the crash.
Weather Briefings
Prior to the flight, the pilot received two weather briefings. During these briefings, the pilot was advised of IMC conditions along the route of flight and at the intended destination. The briefings also indicated that VFR flight was not recommended under those conditions.
Discovery
After three days of being missing, the aircraft was located. It had crashed into a frozen lake, approximately halfway between the departure point and the intended destination. The circumstances were consistent with a loss of control or navigation in IMC.