Weather Briefing and Departure
Before departing from Fresno en route to Santa Barbara, the pilot visited the Fresno Flight Service Station (FSS) for a weather briefing. During the briefing, the pilot was advised of the weather conditions and informed that Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. Despite this, the pilot stated that he would proceed VFR and, if the weather was as bad as forecast, would make an instrument approach upon arrival at Santa Barbara. He also indicated that he did not require a complete weather briefing.
Flight and Communication
The pilot departed Fresno at 1623 with one passenger. En route to Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Approach Control cleared the pilot to descend to 2300 feet as he approached his final fix for the VOR Runway 25 approach. He was instructed to switch to the tower frequency. Approximately 30 seconds later, at 1741, the flight contacted the tower and reported that they were lost. The tower advised the flight to execute a missed approach procedure and contact Departure Control. Although the flight was heard on the departure frequency, no contact was established.
Discovery of the Aircraft
N4907V was found on May 8 at an elevation of 2450 feet, 9 miles from the Santa Barbara VOR. This was the last transmission from the aircraft.