Accident Details
A non-instrument-rated private pilot and three passengers departed from Parkersburg (PKB) en route to Lewisburg (LWB). No witnesses observed the accident itself, but a local resident reported seeing an aircraft flying toward Lewisburg at an altitude of approximately 700 to 800 feet above ground level (AGL) as it passed over her residence, which was situated at an elevation of 2,600 feet AGL. She stated that the sky above the aircraft was a solid overcast ceiling and that the engine sounded normal.
Weather Observations
A certified flight instructor (CFI) who was flying approximately 5 miles southeast of the accident site about 45 minutes prior to the accident reported that mountain tops in the area were totally obscured by clouds and heavy snow showers.
Examination
Examination of the wreckage site, located at an elevation of 3,800 feet above mean sea level (MSL), revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine.