Summary
A pilot undertaking a VFR flight from his home airport to Thermal, California, experienced dizziness attributed to haze and smog, requested vectors to the destination, but the aircraft continued eastward into mountainous terrain, where it crashed approximately 8 miles north of Thermal. The pilot had earlier read back a VFR clearance to depart the Palm Springs TRSA.
Flight Details
The flight was a 21-mile trip intended for practice takeoffs and landings at Thermal. Shortly after takeoff, while en route southeastward toward the sun, which was 22 degrees above the horizon, the pilot informed the controller that haze and smog were making him dizzy. He stated he would use oxygen. Soon after, he requested vectors to the destination airport. Vectors were provided, but the aircraft continued eastward toward mountainous terrain.
Communications
The pilot's speech quality deteriorated during the flight, with his replies becoming shorter and garbled. Radio and radar contact were lost approximately 8 miles north of Thermal.
Accident Site
The aircraft impacted rising terrain about 500 feet above the valley floor. Evidence indicated the crash occurred in a nose-low, left-wing-low attitude.
Weather
Weather at Thermal was reported as scattered clouds at 25,000 feet with visibility 20 miles. Another pilot reported the top of the haze layer at 3,000 feet.
Background
The pilot's wife stated that he was sensitive to certain smells, smog, and bright sunlight, and that he had recently acquired a virus and seemed tired. No specific medical cause or factor was verified.