Accident Details
The airplane was destroyed when it struck a cornfield while in cruise flight. The accident occurred during night instrument meteorological conditions. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) without a filed flight plan. There was no record of the pilot contacting air traffic control facilities or Flight Service Stations while en route. No witnesses to the accident were identified.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate but was not instrument qualified. According to the pilot's logbook, he had flown 0.5 hours of night flight time in the 30 days preceding the accident, which included three full-stop landings. The most recent prior night flight, lasting 0.6 hours, was logged nine months before the accident.
Weather Conditions
The observed weather at a station about 26 nautical miles west of the accident site was: wind from 260 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 2 statute miles, light snow, ceiling 700 feet overcast, temperature 1°C, dew point 0°C, and altimeter setting 29.89 inches of mercury.
Aircraft Examination
A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition.