Night Flight Accident Near Waseca, Minnesota (N4510N)

Flight Details and Departure Information A pilot who did not hold an instrument rating received a weather briefing at approximately 1600 CST from the Minnesota Weather Advisory Service. The pilot departed Mankato for Rochester. During the flight, a radio problem occurred, but the pilot received light signals from the tower for clearance to land. The pilot arranged for light signals for takeoff and departed in clear weather at approximately 1810 on a night flight back to Mankato. By that time, weather at Mankato was 900 to 1,100 feet broken with decreasing visibility. The pilot had 117 total flight hours, including 2 hours of simulated instrument time, according to logbook records.