FTW96LA193

The noninstrument-rated private pilot made a precautionary landing in a field after encountering unforecast low ceilings during a cross-country flight. The preflight weather briefing indicated there were no precautions or advisories applicable to the proposed route of flight. According to the pilot, after 15 minutes of cruise flight, he 'realized' that he was on top of an overcast cloud layer. He 'made a u-turn,' and 'after working [his] way back down,' found the ceiling was about 700 feet AGL. He elected to divert to the nearest airport, but was unable to locate the airport and landed in a pasture. The airplane collided with a ditch during the landing roll.

On April 26, 1996, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2194Y, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in a field near Columbus, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the departure from Sugar Land Municipal Airport, Houston, Texas, approximately 0930. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight encountered instrument meteorological conditions en route to the intended destination of San Antonio, Texas.

Prior to departure, the pilot contacted the Montgomery County Automated Flight Service Station and requested a full weather briefing. Review of a taped record of the briefing by the investigator in charge revealed that the pilot was told there were no advisories or precautions applicable to the proposed route of flight; the briefer commented that "it looks real nice now." The pilot reported that the "information [he received] indicated clear 30 miles west of Houston with front passage, Houston to clear within the hour." The pilot departed "when Houston began to clear."

According to the pilot, after 15 minutes of cruise flight, he "realized" that he was on top of an overcast cloud layer with "no sign of clearing." After an unsuccessful attempt to contact air traffic control for a weather update, the pilot decided to "make a u-turn to make sure of not being trapped on top." The pilot reported that, "after working [his] way back down," he found the ceiling was about 700 feet AGL, and he elected to divert to the nearest airport, which was the Robert R. Wells Jr. Airport in Columbus, Texas. He was unable to locate the airport and landed in a pasture. On landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and both wings sustained substantial damage.