Incident Overview
The aircraft departed Sequin, Washington, under visual flight rules (VFR) at night. It proceeded towards a cloud bank and turned south towards upsloping terrain.
Flight Path
A Mode C radar track recorded the aircraft climbing to 2,600 feet mean sea level (MSL), then descending back to 2,200 feet. The track showed the aircraft passing over a 2,018-foot hill forested with conifer trees at least 100 feet tall. Subsequently, the aircraft executed a 360-degree left turn over 1.5 minutes while maintaining 2,200 feet.
Pilot Communication
During the turn, the pilot contacted approach control and declared a "structural problem."
Survivor Account
A survivor reported that the aircraft was in "turbulence" and that conditions were "thick and gray." Approximately one minute before the crash, the survivor noted that the pilot was "working hard to control the aircraft."
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the left wing revealed a leading edge impact consistent with a wings-level, flat attitude collision with a 2-inch diameter conifer treetop. The aircraft was 25 pounds over its maximum gross weight at takeoff.
Toxicology Results
Toxicology tests on the pilot detected tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana metabolite) at concentrations of 0.003 micrograms per milliliter in blood and 0.038 micrograms per milliliter in urine.