Flight Briefings
Prior to departing on a round-trip flight, a non-instrument rated pilot contacted a flight service station by telephone and obtained a standard weather briefing. The briefing included information about marginal visual flight rules (VFR) conditions forecast for the proposed return trip, specifically mentioning increased cloud cover and scattered showers. The briefer did not recommend VFR flight for the return portion.
After completing the first leg of the trip, the pilot again telephoned the flight service station. The second briefing provided information about a slow-moving cool front, with poorer weather conditions north and west of the planned route, and the possibility of a shower or two along the route. At that time, one of the airports near the route was reporting marginal VFR conditions.
The Return Flight
The return flight was conducted at night. According to the available information, the flight proceeded without incident for approximately two-thirds of the planned distance. The pilot was receiving flight following services from an air traffic controller. During the flight, the pilot asked the controller how high the clouds were, indicating a desire to get out of them.
Accident Sequence
Shortly after the pilot's query about cloud height, the airplane began a rapid descent in a left turn. The airplane subsequently struck trees. No further details about the outcome were provided in the source.