Flight Details
The aircraft departed Atlanta, Georgia, operating without a flight plan. Its intended destination was Morristown, Tennessee. However, during a pre-flight weather briefing, the pilot had inquired about conditions at the Tri-Cities Airport in Bristol, Tennessee.
Accident Sequence
While en route, the aircraft crashed on upward sloping terrain on the east side of Blood Mountain. Near the impact point, tree tops were severed along a line with a zero angle of declination. The elevation of the crash site was approximately 3,680 feet MSL.
Weather Conditions
Weather observations from nearby airports showed overcast skies. At McGee-Tyson Airport (elevation 832 feet), the ceiling was 1,900 feet. At Tri-Cities Airport (elevation 1,519 feet), the ceiling was 1,800 feet.
Pilot Information
The pilot was not instrument rated but had received about five hours of instrument flight training.