Pre-Flight and En Route
The pilot obtained a weather briefing from the Pan Am weather system before departing Bogalusa, Louisiana. While en route to Springfield, Missouri, the pilot encountered broken and solid clouds below the planned cruise altitude of 6,500 feet msl.
Arrival at Springfield
Upon arrival at Springfield, the clouds below were solid, and the ATIS reported 500-foot ceilings. The pilot executed a 180-degree turn to return to an area of broken overcast with the intention to land and refuel.
Precautionary Landing
Due to low fuel and deteriorating weather conditions, the pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing on a county road. The touchdown and rollout on the gravel road were uneventful. However, the road curved to the left, and the airplane continued straight, colliding with a fence.