Flight Departure and Weather
The pilot contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) at 0309 and requested a weather briefing for a flight from northern California to Santa Ana only. The flight departed at approximately 0530 and flew to Santa Ana to pick up two passengers. Weather conditions were reported as marginal VFR, with low ceilings and coastal mountains obscured by clouds and rain. The flight departed Santa Ana at 0921 under VFR en route to San Diego and Mexico.
Communication and Radar Contact Loss
During the flight, the pilot advised approach control that they were VFR and climbing to 3,500 feet to stay below the cloud deck. About three minutes later, the pilot stated, 'Going to level off here.' Radar indicated the aircraft at 1,300 feet MSL. Approximately five minutes after that, radar contact was lost. Approach control advised the pilot to 'attempt contact Long Rifle (USMC restricted airspace) on 132.2,' which was the wrong frequency for that restricted airspace. The pilot called the wrong frequency twice and was covered by other aircraft at another facility.
Wreckage Location
The wreckage was located on the USMC military reservation on a ridge at approximately 1,475 feet MSL.