Private Pilot Enters IMC and Impacts Terrain (N9740L)

Accident Description and Witness Accounts A non-instrument rated private pilot continued flight into dark night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the airplane impacted terrain while maneuvering. Witnesses located 2 1/2 miles west of the accident site reported observing the aircraft descend out of the clouds with its navigation lights visible and then ascend back into the clouds. One witness stated that the weather conditions were 'IMC and foggy' and that the 'airplane seemed to be looking for the airport.' Another witness reported observing the airplane 'go down at a steep rate of descent and then pulled up and disappeared into the clouds.' A few minutes later, he 'saw an explosion and flames just over the hill.' ## Weather and Preflight Information A weather observation taken 6 minutes prior to the accident reported visibility at 1 3/4 miles in mist and an overcast ceiling at 200 feet above ground level (AGL). No record was found of any preflight weather briefing obtained by the pilot. ## Mechanical and Toxicological Findings No anomalies were found with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. The levels of 1.182 mg/dl (mg/hg) Norfluoxetine (metabolite of Prozac) detected in liver and 0.055 mg/dl (mg/hg) Norfluoxetine detected in blood were not high enough to cause impairment.