What happened
At 0309, the pilot contacted Flight Service Station (FSS) to request a weather briefing for an area spanning from Northern California to Santa Ana. Following this, the flight departed at approximately 0530 and traveled to Santa Ana to pick up two passengers.
The weather conditions during the flight were reported as marginal VFR, characterized by low ceilings and rain that obscured the coastal mountains. The aircraft departed SNA at 0921 under VFR flight rules, en route toward San Diego and Mexico. During the flight, the pilot informed Approach control of an intention to climb to 3,500 feet to remain below the cloud deck. Approximately three minutes later, the pilot stated, "Going to level off here," with radar indicating an altitude of 1,300 feet MSL.
About five minutes after that transmission, radar contact was lost. Approach controllers advised the pilot to attempt contact with Long Rifle (USMC restricted airspace) on frequency 132.2; however, this was the incorrect frequency for that restricted airspace. The pilot attempted to call the incorrect frequency twice but was unable to establish communication as they were covered by other aircraft from another facility. The wreckage was later discovered on a ridge within the USMC military reservation at an elevation of approximately 1,475 feet MSL.
There were 3 occupants involved in the accident.