Accident Overview
A non-instrument rated private pilot was conducting a night cross-country flight in marginal night visual meteorological conditions (VMC). During the flight, the pilot inadvertently entered clouds while maneuvering to maintain visual flight rules (VFR). Once inside the clouds, the pilot lost control of the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground in a right turn with a pronounced nose-low attitude. The flaps were retracted at the time of impact.
Weather and Witness Information
The accident location was sparsely populated, and no eyewitnesses reported seeing the accident. However, another pilot flying in the vicinity reported the presence of several cloud layers between 1,500 and 6,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).
Pilot Background and Toxicology
The pilot had no actual instrument time and was not prepared to enter instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Toxicology testing detected ethanol and citalopram in tissue samples. The ethanol detected is most likely a result of post-mortem ethanol production. It could not be determined if the use of citalopram (a prescription antidepressant also used for certain anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder) or the undetermined condition for which it was prescribed were contributory to the accident. The use of citalopram by pilots is considered disqualifying by the FAA.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies or pre-impact defects. The airplane was configured with the flaps retracted. No mechanical issues were identified.
Probable Cause
The non-instrument rated pilot inadvertently entered clouds while attempting a night cross-country in marginal night VMC. While maneuvering to maintain VFR, the pilot entered the clouds and consequently lost control of the airplane.