Background
The pilot received two weather briefings at 1024 and 1247, which advised that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended because of low ceilings and icing conditions.
Flight Details
The aircraft departed at approximately 1418. At 1439, the pilot contacted Flight Watch (FW) and reported picking up leading edge ice 6.4 miles east of the Julian VOR. Four minutes later, at 1443, the pilot requested a heading back to Palomar. FW responded that they did not have direction-finding steer capability and advised the pilot to contact San Diego Radio. This transmission was not acknowledged, and no further communications were received from the pilot.
The crash site was located at an elevation of about 3,500 feet MSL.
Weather Conditions
The 1456 surface weather observation at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, California, approximately 25 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported a broken cloud ceiling equating to 1,885 feet MSL.
Pilot's State of Mind
The pilot's fiancé stated that the pilot was anxious to return to Albuquerque to clear up business affairs and return for their pending marriage.