Flight Briefings and Departure
Before departing, the pilot obtained several visual flight weather briefings. During the first briefing, visual flight for the planned route was not recommended; however, the pilot elected to proceed with the planned route.
En Route Stop and Refueling
Three and a half hours after takeoff, the pilot landed at an airport short of the planned destination and refueled with 16 gallons of fuel.
Final Contact and Accident
Minutes after departing that airport, the pilot established radio contact with Asheville Approach and requested radar vectors to Asheville. The air traffic controller advised the pilot to maintain VFR conditions. Moments later, radio contact was lost, and the airplane collided with a mountain ridge at the 3,800-foot level.
Accident Site Examination
Examination revealed that the airplane collided with trees, and the wreckage was scattered over an area 135 feet long. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. No mechanical problems were determined from the wreckage examination.
Weather Conditions
Weather reports indicated that clouds obscured the mountains where the accident occurred.