What happened
The aircraft departed from Elma Airport near Ocean Shores, Washington, at approximately 2330 PST on December 29, 1985. Prior to takeoff, a passenger informed others that the group was waiting for fog conditions to improve before flying. A witness observed the aircraft making at least two attempts to land at Elma Airport around the time of departure, noting that weather conditions were Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) with dense ground fog.
Witnesses in Hoquiam and Aberdeen later reported seeing the aircraft heading west, positioned above the layer of ground fog, around 2345 PST. The aircraft subsequently contacted terrain located 680 feet north of Runway 06 at Bowerman Airfield.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site revealed that the engine was not producing power at the moment of impact. Inspections confirmed there was no evidence of usable fuel remaining on board the aircraft.