Flight Departure and Pilot Background
The private pilot departed on a 550-mile trip with an unknown quantity of fuel in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot had 125 total hours of flight experience and did not possess an instrument rating. There was no record of the pilot obtaining a weather briefing, nor did he file a flight plan.
Inflight Events
About 4 hours into the flight, during the hours of darkness, the pilot reported that the airplane was in instrument meteorological conditions and requested assistance from air traffic control. The conversation between the pilot and the controller continued for several minutes as they discussed weather conditions at various destinations along and around the pilot's intended course.
During the conversations, the airplane completed a series of left and right 360-degree turns and figure-8 maneuvers, climbing and descending between 7,000 feet and 10,200 feet. As the airplane continued to circle, the controller issued a heading and suggested the pilot check his heading indicator in relation to his magnetic compass. The pilot replied, "...we're trying to keep it under control and get back to the stars here so we got a reference point."
Over the next 5 minutes, the airplane completed three 360-degree right turns. The final radar plots depicted a descending turn to the right, from about 9,800 feet, and then the target disappeared.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage at the scene revealed no mechanical anomalies.