Circumstances of the Flight
On March 29, 1995, a non-instrument rated private pilot was en route from North Carolina to New Mexico. He stopped at Dalhart, Texas, and decided to remain overnight after conversing with other pilots who were delaying their departures due to reported icing conditions. The pilot told a witness that he was worried about his job and was expected to report for work at midnight that evening.
Weather and Departure
Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed the next morning until about 1000 local time, when the visibility increased to 15 miles. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departing at approximately 1015, although another pilot advised him that he had just driven through snow on his way into town from the west.
Communications and Maneuvers
Approximately one hour after takeoff, the pilot called the Dalhart UNICOM and reported that he was circling the VOR but could not find the airport. After receiving directions from the VOR to the airport, the pilot reported that he was headed for the airport.
Witness Account and Impact
A witness near the airport observed the airplane appear out of the snowstorm, maneuver briefly, then enter a sharp left bank with an extreme nose-down angle. The airplane impacted the ground and burst into flames.