A private pilot in an small aircraft flew in IMC without an instrument rating.

Attributes
ACN	222195
Time
Date	199209
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : stf airport : m40
State Reference	MS
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1800 msl bound upper : 4500
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : cbm
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude cruise other descent : approach
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 203 flight time type : 112
ASRS Report	222195
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather non adherence : far other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

XY30 am -- I checked the WX: 1800 ft overcast. I decided that I could takeoff from starkville to M40 VFR to take my IFR chkride. YY00 am: I took off from starkville and climbed to 1800 ft. 6 mi further, I'm on flight following with columbus approach. Then, I decided to climb to 4500 ft and I was in the clouds. 20 mins later, I asked to shoot the VOR 18 approach into M40. Columbus approach gave me vectors to the initial approach fix and I broke out on the approach at 1600 ft. When I saw the runway, I made a circling approach to runway 36 at M40 (monroe county airport). Remarks: I know that my actions did not endanger another aircraft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A PRIVATE PLT IN AN SMA FLEW IN IMC WITHOUT AN INST RATING.

Narrative: XY30 AM -- I CHKED THE WX: 1800 FT OVCST. I DECIDED THAT I COULD TKOF FROM STARKVILLE TO M40 VFR TO TAKE MY IFR CHKRIDE. YY00 AM: I TOOK OFF FROM STARKVILLE AND CLBED TO 1800 FT. 6 MI FURTHER, I'M ON FLT FOLLOWING WITH COLUMBUS APCH. THEN, I DECIDED TO CLB TO 4500 FT AND I WAS IN THE CLOUDS. 20 MINS LATER, I ASKED TO SHOOT THE VOR 18 APCH INTO M40. COLUMBUS APCH GAVE ME VECTORS TO THE INITIAL APCH FIX AND I BROKE OUT ON THE APCH AT 1600 FT. WHEN I SAW THE RWY, I MADE A CIRCLING APCH TO RWY 36 AT M40 (MONROE COUNTY ARPT). REMARKS: I KNOW THAT MY ACTIONS DID NOT ENDANGER ANOTHER ACFT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.