Accident Overview
The aircraft struck Hinch Mountain at the 2,700-foot level while in cruise flight under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot had been informed during initial and subsequent weather briefings that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended for the intended route.
Flight Details
The flight originated from New Orleans, Louisiana, with a planned first leg to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which ended with a landing under instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. After landing, the pilot told flight service station (FSS) personnel that he was returning to Meridian, Mississippi, but instead continued toward his original destination of Mason, West Virginia.
Passenger Account
The pilot's son, who was a passenger on the flight and survived the crash, reported that his father held an instrument rating but had not filed an IFR flight plan because of a known malfunctioning directional gyro (DG). A previous attempt to repair the DG during an earlier trip had been made, but the problem was not resolved. Postaccident examination of the DG was precluded by fire damage.
Conclusion
The source provides no stated probable cause for the accident.