Accident Overview
The accident involved an airplane operated by two pilots, neither of whom held an instrument rating. While en route, approximately 20 miles from their intended destination, the pilots contacted the Atlanta Flight Service Station (FSS) via radio to obtain a weather briefing. During the briefing, the pilot reported that the airplane was within cloud cover and requested information on a location where they could descend through the clouds. The briefer responded that she would not recommend visual flight rules (VFR) operations in the area at all.
Flight Details
The pilots had presumably been flying under VFR, given their lack of instrument ratings. The briefer's statement indicated that the prevailing weather conditions were unsuitable for VFR flight. Despite this advisory, the pilots continued their flight. The brief snippet of communication provides the only known radio contact prior to the accident.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage of the airplane was located approximately 10 miles southeast of the destination airport, on the south slope of a mountain. The impact point was situated about 400 to 600 feet below the top of the ridgeline. Examination of the site indicated that the airplane had struck trees and terrain while in a near-level flight attitude. The pilot at the controls is presumed, though no further details regarding the pilots or the aircraft were provided in the source material.