Departure and Weather Conditions
The pilot, who was not rated for instrument flight, departed into a weather front. Visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. Precautions existed for icing, turbulence, and mountain obscuration. The radar chart indicated light to moderate rain with isolated thunderstorms.
Clearance and Flight Path
The aircraft received a clearance to exit the Terminal Control Area (TCA) and to climb and maintain 6,500 ft. Radar data later confirmed that the aircraft was traveling inbound toward its departure point.
Accident and Recovery
The aircraft was found four days after it was reported missing. It had struck a mountain and came to rest at the 6,800 ft mean sea level (MSL) elevation.