Accident Overview
A pilot conducting a flight received a preflight weather briefing from Thermal Flight Service Station (FSS) during which VFR flight was not recommended into the San Diego area. Although the pilot requested a briefing to San Diego, it is believed the initial destination was Carlsbad to deplane the rear seat passenger.
The Accident
According to the investigation, the aircraft impacted a mountain just below the crest at 8,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). VFR flight following had been terminated approximately six minutes prior to the accident.
Weather Conditions
The NTSB meteorological summary indicated there were probably continuous cloud conditions from 1,000 ft MSL to near 9,000 ft MSL, with flight visibility of zero in the clouds. Mountains were probably obscured. The summary also noted the possibility of light to moderate turbulence and updrafts and downdrafts below 10,000 ft MSL, as well as mixed moderate icing in clouds near 9,000 ft MSL.