Incident Overview
A private pilot who had recently earned an instrument airplane rating attempted to execute a night instrument approach in weather conditions near the minimum authorized. The pilot contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) and announced intentions to perform a missed approach comprising a climbing right turn. No further communications were received from the aircraft.
Wreckage Discovery
Approximately six hours later, the airplane was found inverted in a swampy wooded area about 12 miles to the right of the threshold of the runway for which the approach had been attempted.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplane, its engine, vacuum system, and gyroscopic instruments revealed no preexisting failures.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.