Narrative:

I was on an IFR flight plan from 2m8 to loz where I planned to refuel, then continue on my second IFR flight plan to cxy. I received vectors to the VOR runway 5 approach, and the WX for loz (which I do not have a copy of). I broke out from clouds above pattern altitude with the runway in sight. I called ZID and informed them and requested cancellation of my IFR flight plan for a visual landing. The controller cancelled my plan and advised 'frequency change approved.' I then switched to 123.6, the frequency for london radio (CTAF) as shown on the approach plate and announced my arrival on the VOR runway 5 approach. I landed and refueled and then taxied along the parallel taxiway. I announced on 123.6 that I was about to 'back- taxi' for runway 5, and finally, when about to depart, I announced 'departing runway 5.' on departure, I contacted ZID on my last assigned frequency 121.325, which is also the frequency shown on the approach plate and requested my clearance. The controller informed me that I had violated FARS by departing VFR in IFR conditions. At that point, I was still in VMC and estimated the ceiling to be 1500 ft AGL or more and visibility to be at least 3 NM. I acknowledged his communication and was given clearance. He subsequently told me to call indianapolis quality assurance. I did this the next day, but the office was apparently closed over the wkend and I did not speak with anyone until mar/mon/93. I was subsequently contacted by mr X from louisville, ky. He took information for an investigation and told me inspector Y would be handling the investigation.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PROX OF CLOUDS IN VFR DEP FROM NON TWR ARPT WITHOUT ACTIVATING IFR CLRNC BEFORE TKOF. IMC IN VFR FLT.

Narrative: I WAS ON AN IFR FLT PLAN FROM 2M8 TO LOZ WHERE I PLANNED TO REFUEL, THEN CONTINUE ON MY SECOND IFR FLT PLAN TO CXY. I RECEIVED VECTORS TO THE VOR RWY 5 APCH, AND THE WX FOR LOZ (WHICH I DO NOT HAVE A COPY OF). I BROKE OUT FROM CLOUDS ABOVE PATTERN ALT WITH THE RWY IN SIGHT. I CALLED ZID AND INFORMED THEM AND REQUESTED CANCELLATION OF MY IFR FLT PLAN FOR A VISUAL LNDG. THE CTLR CANCELLED MY PLAN AND ADVISED 'FREQ CHANGE APPROVED.' I THEN SWITCHED TO 123.6, THE FREQ FOR LONDON RADIO (CTAF) AS SHOWN ON THE APCH PLATE AND ANNOUNCED MY ARR ON THE VOR RWY 5 APCH. I LANDED AND REFUELED AND THEN TAXIED ALONG THE PARALLEL TXWY. I ANNOUNCED ON 123.6 THAT I WAS ABOUT TO 'BACK- TAXI' FOR RWY 5, AND FINALLY, WHEN ABOUT TO DEPART, I ANNOUNCED 'DEPARTING RWY 5.' ON DEP, I CONTACTED ZID ON MY LAST ASSIGNED FREQ 121.325, WHICH IS ALSO THE FREQ SHOWN ON THE APCH PLATE AND REQUESTED MY CLRNC. THE CTLR INFORMED ME THAT I HAD VIOLATED FARS BY DEPARTING VFR IN IFR CONDITIONS. AT THAT POINT, I WAS STILL IN VMC AND ESTIMATED THE CEILING TO BE 1500 FT AGL OR MORE AND VISIBILITY TO BE AT LEAST 3 NM. I ACKNOWLEDGED HIS COM AND WAS GIVEN CLRNC. HE SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD ME TO CALL INDIANAPOLIS QUALITY ASSURANCE. I DID THIS THE NEXT DAY, BUT THE OFFICE WAS APPARENTLY CLOSED OVER THE WKEND AND I DID NOT SPEAK WITH ANYONE UNTIL MAR/MON/93. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED BY MR X FROM LOUISVILLE, KY. HE TOOK INFO FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND TOLD ME INSPECTOR Y WOULD BE HANDLING THE INVESTIGATION.

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.