19980103000119A

VFR pilot attempting to manuver around IFR conditions impacted terrain. (.4)the noninstrument-rated private pilot, a foreign national, embarked on a solo cross-country flight to fulfill the experience requirements required for commercial pilot certification. Fss advised the pilot that VFR flight was not recommended. The pilot filed a VFR flight plan and departed ogden, Utah. He arrived in caldwell, Idaho, refueled, and obtained another fss weather briefing. Again, he was advised that VFR flight was not recommended. He filed a VFR flight plan and departed caldwell en route back to ogden. Radar data indicated that the pilot did not track the airway to malad city, Idaho, but instead followed a highway to the vicinity of tremonton, Utah. There, it was seen to maneuver in a 'primary weather cell.' The wreckage was located 3 days later within 0.1 mile of the last radar contact. (-23)on January 3, 1998, at 1957 MST, a Piper PA-38-112, N23371, operated by us aviation, ogden, UT, was destroyed when it impatched terrain while maneuvering around weather 8.6 miles north of tremonton, Utah. The private pilot and the sole occupant aboard were fatally injuried. Instrument meteoro logical conditions prevailed, and VFR flight plan had been filed for the training flight being conductedunder title 14 CFR part 91. The lfight departed caldwell, Idaho, approxiamtely 1635. Vhp pilot was on I84 adjacent to and approximately 2 mi form crash location at the time of the accident and reported the above wx observation.