VFR Flight Lost Radar Contact and Crashed into Ridge (N2776M)

Flight Planning and Departure The pilot received two weather briefings and filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. Low ceilings were reported along the planned route. Approximately seven minutes after takeoff, the pilot opened the flight plan and received VFR advisory service from Oakland Center, with a handoff to Travis Radar Approach Control (RAPCON). ## Radar Contact and Advisories After discussing the route, the radar controller provided a vector of 050 degrees. At 2216:15, the controller informed the pilot that radar contact was lost due to the aircraft's low altitude and suggested a climb to at least above 3,000 feet. At approximately 2216:55, radar contact was reestablished. The controller advised the pilot that the aircraft was eight miles north of Napa. The pilot responded, “OK, (pause) its all flat country out here I think isn't it,” and the controller replied, “Yea.” ## Final Minutes and Crash At 2218:19, the controller issued a heading of 080 degrees and asked about the aircraft's altitude. When the pilot reported 2,500 feet, the controller advised that a 2,900-foot mountain was about one mile to the right of course. At 2219:45, the controller advised that a mountain peak was less than one mile northeast of the aircraft. The pilot indicated he would turn left, but shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed near the top of a ridge at 2,450 feet MSL. ## Weather Conditions Approximately 12 miles east-southeast at Travis Air Force Base (elevation 62 feet), the weather at 2155 PST was in part: 1,200 feet scattered clouds, 2,500 feet scattered clouds, 5,000 feet overcast, and visibility 7 miles with light rain.