Overview
A student pilot embarked on a long solo cross-country flight after obtaining a computer weather briefing. The forecast indicated a chance of snow showers along the route. At the departure airport, light snow showers were present during the briefing and during the pre-departure discussion with the flight instructor. The student departed under very light snow showers.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 8 to 10 minutes after departure, the instructor contacted the student by radio and asked about the weather conditions. The student reported visibility of three miles. Shortly thereafter, the student called the airport and stated that he was lost and having difficulty. The airport manager, who was not a pilot, instructed the student to make a 180-degree turn and return to the airport.
A ground witness reported hearing an airplane fly overhead twice during very heavy snow showers. During the second pass, the witness heard a vacillating engine sound followed by a loud crash. The wreckage was located approximately 30 minutes after the witness heard the engine sounds.
Aftermath
The circumstances of the accident were documented, but no further details about injuries, damage, or the type of aircraft were provided in the source material.