19960214005779A

(Tty) wreckage discovered by state POLIC4E, aircraft was not reported missing. (.19) on February 14, 1996, at 1900 eastern standard time (EST), a Piper, PA-28-140, N4612F, operated by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the terrain near Brookston, Indiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated at lafayette, Indiana, at 1830 EST, and was en route to gary, Indiana. (.4)prior to takeoff, the pilot called his girlfriend and asked her to pick him up at gary municipal airport, gary, Indiana, IN one hour. One hour and 45 minutes later, the girlfriend contacted the gary air traffic control tower, who advised her that they had had no contact with the pilot. The wreckage was discovered the following morning. The pilot received a flight service station briefing prior to takeoff. The briefing included low ceilings and snow showers along the pilot's route of flight. A witness reported seeing 'fast-moving snow showers' in west lafayette, Indiana, between 1900 a ND 1930 EST. Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the airplane. The pilot received his instrument rating one week prior to the accident. The pilot's logbook showed 2.8 hours of actual instrument time. The pilot's instrument flight instructor said the first time the pilot encountered actual instrument conditions, he became disoriented. (-23) on February 14, 1996, pilot david q. Washington, flying a Piper PA-28-140, N4612F, departed lafayette, Indiana, enroute to gary, Indiana. The aircraft crashed into a field approximately 12 nautical miles from departure point. Aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 85 degrees nose down and slightly right wing low, bounced once and came to rest approximately 75 feet from impact point; the aircraft was destroyed. Pilot received fatal injuries.