What happened
A private pilot, who had recorded two hours of actual instrument time in his logbook, departed for his flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. During the return leg of the flight to his destination, the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
While operating in these conditions, witnesses on the ground reported hearing the aircraft flying at a low altitude over several residential areas. Due to heavy snowfall and low visibility, these witnesses were unable to visually locate the airplane.
The pilot was in communication with Pittsburgh Approach Control and was receiving vectors for an ILS Runway 8 approach when radar contact was lost. Data retrieved from the Air Route Traffic Control Center indicated that the aircraft had performed several circles prior to the loss of signal. The aircraft subsequently struck a 50-foot tall tree and collided with a residential house, resulting in a post-impact fire that consumed the wreckage.