Accident Overview
According to investigation reports, weather conditions along the flight route indicated ceilings of 25,000 feet and unrestricted visibility, except for the area south and west of Mount Hood. Mount Hood, elevation 11,239 feet MSL, on the southwestern side of Government Camp and Clear Lake—the accident site—was covered by clouds. Witnesses reported a classic towering cumulonimbus cloud over Mount Hood.
Weather Conditions at Clear Lake
At Clear Lake, approximately 15 miles south of Mount Hood, rain, hail, and lightning were occurring, with a ceiling estimated at about 300 feet. Witnesses at Clear Lake reported that the storm had been in progress for some time before the aircraft "fell out of the clouds" into the lake.
Wreckage Recovery and Distribution
Most of the recovered wreckage was found in Clear Lake by scuba divers in an area measuring 3,600 feet by 800 feet. The distribution of the wreckage indicated general disintegration in flight prior to impact.
Conclusion
The investigation documented that the aircraft broke apart while airborne under severe thunderstorm conditions, with wreckage spread over a wide area in Clear Lake.