Accident Overview
The airplane was destroyed when it impacted a harvested agricultural field. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, had received a pre-flight weather briefing and was informed that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended.
Weather Information
Once airborne, the pilot contacted flight service and was given updated weather information. The briefer informed the pilot of a recently released AIRMET (Airman's Meteorological Information) for instrument meteorological conditions and reiterated that VFR flight was not recommended. The AIRMET covered both the destination airport and the accident site.
Weather at the destination airport, located 8 nautical miles at 235 degrees from the accident site, reported 6 statute miles visibility and an overcast ceiling at 900 feet above ground level (AGL). A weather reporting station 13 nautical miles at 107 degrees from the accident site recorded visibility of 7 nautical miles and clear skies. Another weather reporting station 23 nautical miles at 188 degrees from the accident site recorded visibility of 1 1/4 statute miles with mist and an overcast ceiling at 300 feet AGL.
Witness Reports and Wreckage Examination
Witnesses reported that the weather at the accident site was cloudy and drizzly. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact defect.