Flight Preparation
The flight obtained a weather briefing, filed an IFR flight plan, and received an instrument clearance by telephone with a void time of 15 minutes later. A witness estimated the airport weather as 200 feet overcast, visibility 1 to 5 miles with fog, and Stone Mountain, north of the airport, obscured.
Takeoff and Accident
The aircraft departed from Runway 25 with four rated pilots on board. The owner, who was not instrument rated, occupied the left front seat, while a commercial-rated instructor pilot (PIC/CFI/CFII) was in the right front seat. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into Stone Mountain, approximately 2.5 miles from the airport, on a heading of about 310 degrees.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination revealed the throw-over yoke was positioned to the left. Logs showed the owner had been receiving instrument instruction from the instructor in the right front seat. The instrument departure procedure required climbing visually over the airport to 2,800 feet, then continuing climb via direct Long Hollow non-directional beacon holding pattern to 5,000 feet before proceeding on course. Ethanol was detected in the right front seat occupant's blood; however, there was evidence of decomposition in the sample.