Event Overview
On March 19, 1983, an aircraft departed Creswell, Oregon, sometime after 1800 Pacific Standard Time. At 2110 PST, the pilot contacted Portland Flight Watch by radio and reported being over Roseburg, Oregon, at an altitude of 9,500 feet. The pilot requested pilot reports (PIREPs) of weather conditions over the Siskiyou Mountains and into the San Francisco Bay area.
Communication
Flight Watch advised that the weather for Medford, Oregon, was estimated as an 8,000-foot overcast ceiling with visibility of 10 miles. Additionally, a pilot had reported that conditions from Redmond, Oregon, to Red Bluff, California, at 9,500 feet were clear and smooth. The pilot responded that he was experiencing a smooth ride on top and noted that there were "a little bit of buildups to the west." No further transmissions were received from the aircraft.
Search and Discovery
When the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, a search was initiated. The wreckage was located by hikers on August 15, 1983, having crashed in mountainous terrain while in a steep dive. At the time of the accident, search personnel were unable to access the area due to low clouds, rain, and snow.
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction or failure.