Flight History
Approximately 40 miles east of his destination, the pilot contacted Ontario Approach for flight following through the Ontario ARSA. During the initial exchange, the controller asked if he had the current weather for his destination, and the pilot replied that he did not. He was advised that conditions were VFR with 3 miles visibility in haze. The pilot then requested the ceiling in the Los Angeles basin and was informed that La Verne had a measured overcast at 2,300 feet.
Communications and Navigation Errors
Twice during radio exchanges with controllers, the pilot reported altitudes that were off by 1,000 feet or more. He attempted twice to descend through a hole in the overcast, but both attempts were unsuccessful. After these attempts, he told controllers he would reverse course back to Banning. Shortly thereafter, he reversed course again, heading back toward La Verne. About six minutes later, radar contact was lost in the mountains northeast of his destination. Approximately 20 seconds before contact was lost, the pilot radioed, "It's getting pretty thick up here."
Wreckage and Toxicology
The wreckage was located at an elevation of 3,100 feet MSL. Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed the presence of methamphetamine at a concentration of 0.50 mg/L in blood, along with amphetamine and diphenhydramine.