Incident Overview
An instrument-rated pilot with 1,700 hours of flight experience was conducting a flight from Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) to San Carlos Airport (SQL). The pilot was reportedly familiar with the route, having flown it to work over 100 times. San Carlos Airport does not have a published instrument approach procedure, prompting the pilot to plan an IFR approach to Hayward followed by a Special VFR (SVFR) flight toward San Carlos.
Flight Plan and Execution
According to the pilot's plan, after completing the instrument approach to Hayward, the intention was to initially fly under SVFR toward San Carlos. While en route, the pilot would be over open water in uncontrolled airspace, where only one mile of flight visibility was required. Approaching San Carlos, the pilot planned to request an SVFR clearance into its control zone.
Sequence of Events
The pilot executed the instrument approach to Hayward and received, as planned, the requested clearance to exit Hayward's control zone. Subsequently, the pilot obtained an SVFR clearance into San Carlos's control zone. However, while operating under that clearance, the pilot failed to maintain altitude and descended into the San Francisco Bay.
Weather Conditions
At the time the pilot was in Hayward's airspace, the reported weather included a 200-foot overcast ceiling and one mile visibility in fog.
Conclusion
The investigation source provides no further analysis or probable cause. The factual sequence indicates that after receiving an SVFR clearance into San Carlos's control zone, the pilot did not maintain altitude and struck the water.