Background
The pilot had departed Mazatlan, Mexico, at 0632 PST and made stops at Los Mochis and Mexicali, Mexico, and at Calexico, California, where he cleared U.S. Customs. Before departing Calexico, he telephoned his family and told them the weather had been poor all day. The estimated time of arrival at Yuma, Arizona, was 1730 PST.
Accident
When the aircraft did not arrive at Yuma, a search was initiated. The wreckage was found about 17 miles east of Imperial, California, where the plane had crashed on a westerly heading. At the time of impact, the aircraft was estimated to have been in a 15-degree descent and in a 65-degree right bank.
Investigation
No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. Witnesses attested to worsening weather and gusty winds in the vicinity at the presumed time of the crash. The co-owner noted that there was a 600-foot error in the altimeter, which the pilot would compensate for by adjusting the barometer setting.