Flight Details
The aircraft was conducting a cross-country flight under visual flight rules (VFR). During the flight, it entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and encountered precipitation. Witnesses reported observing the aircraft flying northbound at an altitude of approximately 50 to 60 feet above ground level (AGL) before it initiated a turn. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft collided with terrain.
Weather Conditions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service provided weather-radar plots that showed an area of precipitation moving through the accident location both before and after the reported time of the accident. Radar track data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was overlaid on the NOAA plots, indicating that the accident aircraft encountered convective activity prior to and around the accident time. A weather observation station located 10.9 nautical miles from the accident site on a 215-degree magnetic heading reported visibility of 1 3/4 statute miles and cloud conditions of 900 scattered, 1,800 broken, and 2,500 overcast.
Pilot Briefings
Prior to departure, the pilot received three weather briefings from the FAA Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). During two of these briefings, the AFSS advised that VFR flight was not recommended. In the final briefing, the pilot was informed of deteriorating weather conditions along the proposed route of flight. While en route, the pilot obtained two additional weather briefings from FAA AFSS facilities, and during each, the pilot was advised of the continued deterioration of weather conditions along the planned route.