Background
A pilot who landed prior to the departure of aircraft N5298N reported that his aircraft had accumulated 1/4 inch of airframe ice while over the LTA VOR. An employee of Lake Tahoe Aviation fueling service informed the pilot of N5298N of these weather conditions and the ice accumulation on the Cessna P210 that had just landed.
Flight Events
After departure, the pilot of N5298N reported entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at approximately 12,000 feet. He requested an IFR flight plan from Sacramento Flight Service but was told to standby for a moment. Further communication was not established.
Discovery
On March 21, 1982, the aircraft was spotted at the 13,600-foot level of a mountain peak.