Accident Overview
A pilot-in-command who was not instrument rated departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The pilot requested and received air traffic control clearance through the Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA). However, no further radio communication was established with the pilot after that point.
The aircraft was located two days after the accident in a destroyed condition. Personnel near the crash site and at the destination airport reported low ceilings with overcast skies, no moon, light fog, and drizzle at the time.
Pilot Information
Review of FAA records indicated that the pilot-in-command had a total flight time of 200.1 hours. Of those, 13 hours were logged at night, and 4.7 hours were under hooded or instrument flight conditions. The pilot was not instrument rated.
Weather Conditions
Witnesses and personnel in the vicinity of the crash site and the destination airport reported low ceilings with overcast skies. The night was moonless, with light fog and drizzle present. These conditions were noted as contributing factors in the environment of the flight.
Investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's lack of an instrument rating and the adverse weather conditions. The aircraft was found destroyed two days after the accident, and the pilot's last known communication was the clearance through the ARSA. No further details about the cause were provided in the source.