What happened
A pilot departed at approximately 0ert30 for a local flight. At 1130, a rancher discovered the wreckage of the aircraft on his property and notified emergency services. The pilot had accumulated approximately 122 total flight hours. While not a certificated pilot, he had held a valid FAA third-class medical certificate from July 16, 2002, until its expiration on July 31, 2004. Logbook records indicated the pilot had received flight instruction and several 90-day solo endorsements, with the most recent endorsement dated July 2, 2004. An attempt to renew his medical certificate on August 5, 2004, was denied.
Weather conditions at an airport located roughly 20 miles east-southeast of the site were reported as follows: at 0745, winds were from 170 degrees at 4 knots with 6 statute mile visibility and clear skies. By 0845, weather had deteriorated to quarter-mile visibility with an overcast ceiling of 100 feet. A helicopter pilot performing aerial spraying in the area noted that while he was scheduled to work near the accident site, the area was fogged in.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the pilot's logbook and FAA airman records. It was determined that the pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to his departure.