Accident Overview
On April 15, 1989, at 1507 Central Daylight Time, an aircraft departed Aurora, Illinois, on a flight to Florence, South Carolina. When it failed to arrive, a search was initiated. The aircraft was located five days later by surveyors on Lynch Mountain at approximately the 3,500-foot level.
Crash Details
Impact occurred on a wooded hillside, parallel to a ridgeline. Evidence indicated the aircraft was in level flight at the time of the crash. Witnesses in the area reported hearing the sound of an aircraft engine at about 1900 Eastern Daylight Time on the same day. At that time, fog accompanied by drizzle covered the top of the mountain.
Weather Briefings
Investigation revealed that the pilot had obtained four weather briefings before the flight. Each time, he was advised that Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. The weather conditions at the mountain included fog and drizzle, consistent with an environment hazardous for VFR operations.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was found intact with no indication of in-flight breakup. The investigation focused on the circumstances of the flight and the pilot's decision-making regarding weather. No mechanical anomalies were identified as contributing factors. The exact cause of the accident was not determined from the available evidence.