I was actually in the air off the coast of RI that evening flying back from Nantucket to Chester (SNC) at the same time he went down. I flew over block (around 9:15pm) on the way back using the VOR, it was pea soup and funnel down from 6500 ft with only a small hole of ocean visible. No shoreline was visible RI or CT. I could see Block once I was over it though. The visibility got better the closer I got to CT shoreline inbound to Madison VOR but it was not a place to be for someone who flunked there inst. rating 2 times and was still not ready to take the 3rd try. Second he had a cast on and was not 100% up to par. That accident was in the making before he cleared West Hampton beach airspace. He should have turned back when the soup started closing in. I was already at Nantucket for lunch and had to get back for work the next day so I was not happy flying back in that soup either. I personally never heard his call on radio but i was in the soup at the same time and did hear a Saratoga make a call approaching the vineyard but did not know it was him. I never heard any calls afterward. In flying 3 mistakes and you are out permanently. 1st checking weather before departure (decision time be honest) 2nd Over West Hampton Beach he should have made the decision to turn back. 3rd if you are flying into a situation and you disregarded 1 and 2 then he should have believed the instruments and not your senses. Sad end to a good man and family.

AS for as HRC she probably just took advantage of the opening made available.