Accident Narrative
A private pilot, who was not instrument rated, departed in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and requested VFR flight following to his destination. As he neared the destination, he contacted approach control and reported his altitude as 2,500 feet above mean sea level. Approach control informed the pilot that moderate to heavy rain showers were present over the destination airport. The pilot reported experiencing "poor visibility" and stated he was considering turning 180 degrees to "go back." Approach control then advised that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed north of his position, with moderate to heavy rain showers. The pilot responded, "We're, we're kinda in the soup at this point," and reported he was turning to the south. Shortly after, radar contact with the airplane was lost.
A witness reported hearing an airplane and then observing the accident airplane descending through a cloud layer that was about 400 to 500 feet above the ground. The airplane was in approximately a 50-degree nose-down attitude with the engine producing "cruise power." The witness stated that the airplane was flying at a high rate of speed for about four seconds until he heard the airplane impact the terrain.
Weather Conditions
The observed weather in the area of the accident was reported as marginal VMC and instrument meteorological conditions.
Investigation
An inspection of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies.