Departure and Weather
According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot had watched weather information on television on March 20, 1983. To the friend's knowledge, the pilot had never telephoned the FAA Flight Service Station for a weather briefing or to file a flight plan. The friend drove the pilot and his wife, who was also a pilot, to the airport. The friend observed the aircraft depart to the east, where the weather looked very dark.
Accident Sequence
Approximately 30 to 35 minutes later, witnesses heard the aircraft circling at low altitude in the vicinity of the Palomar Observatory. They then heard a loud noise when the aircraft impacted a 110-foot tree, approximately 80 feet above ground level. None of the witnesses could see the aircraft due to the weather conditions.
Weather Conditions
Reportedly, the ceiling and visibility were at or near zero-zero, with wind from 360 degrees at 5 knots, temperature 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and heavy snow and fog that continued throughout the duty period.
Pilot Qualifications
Neither of the pilots were instrument rated.