Background
The pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan for a 30-minute flight from Catalina Island to Long Beach, California.
Flight Details
According to the airport manager at the private uncontrolled airport, the pilot stated that he had an IFR clearance on file but might depart VFR on runway 4. The pilot then taxied to runway 22 and called on the UNICOM frequency, indicating readiness for departure. The manager provided the altimeter setting and wind information, after which the aircraft departed.
Weather
The manager reported that at the time of departure, the sky was obscured with an indefinite ceiling. Visibility for runway 22 was 0.25 miles, while visibility for runway 4 was 1 mile.
Accident Sequence
The pilot did not open the IFR flight plan. Approximately one hour after departure, a motorist located the wreckage about half a mile northwest of the airport and about 100 feet below the runway elevation.
Wreckage
The wreckage path was measured at approximately 358 degrees magnetic. Ground scar measurements indicated that the airplane was in a right 10-degree banked turn with a slight nose-down attitude at impact.