Flight and Weather Briefings
The pilot obtained four weather briefings prior to the cross-country flight. During the third preflight briefing, the briefer informed the pilot that the ceiling at an airport 40 miles south-southwest of the destination was 600 feet overcast, and another airport 23 miles south reported 500 feet overcast. The weather was forecast to improve within the hour, but the briefer noted that fog had not been forecast and, given the moisture in the area, was uncertain how quickly conditions would improve. In the fourth briefing, the pilot was advised that the destination airport had calm winds, 10 miles visibility, a 1,000-foot broken ceiling, and a temperature and dew point of 17°C. The forecast indicated variable winds at 3 knots, visibility greater than 6 miles, and scattered clouds at 10,000 feet. However, the briefer also mentioned that the broken ceilings were expected to persist and that visibility would likely drop during the early morning hours.
Attempts to Land
Upon reaching the destination, the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) reported a 200-foot ceiling with mist. The pilot made several low passes over the airport but was unable to see the runway. He then flew to a nearby airport but found the weather there worse, according to his report. He turned back toward the original destination and declared an emergency, stating that he was low on fuel. While en route, the pilot spotted the rotating beacon of another airport and decided to fly there. However, he became confused and headed east instead of south.
Fuel Exhaustion and Forced Landing
The engine then lost power, and the airplane collided with terrain during the forced landing. The pilot later reported that he was aware the airplane was consuming more fuel than normal during the flight but was not concerned until he reached the destination and determined he could not land due to weather. A review of the pilot's written statement indicated that he did not contact any facilities en route to obtain updated weather information.
Weather conditions at the destination 41 minutes before the accident were 7 miles visibility and 200 feet overcast, with temperature and dew point both 16°C. Nineteen minutes after the accident, the reported weather was 4 miles visibility with mist, a 200-foot overcast, and temperature and dew point both 16°C.