Incident Overview
The pilot was briefed approximately two hours before takeoff that fog existed near the destination airport and was instructed to call back for a weather update; he did not. Before takeoff, the pilot told the survivors, "We're a little over weight, I'm not sure if we're going to takeoff." After departure, the flight was observed to fly into the fog several times and the airplane flew over the airport three times.
Final Approach and Stall
After the third pass, the pilot told the survivors he was going to land on the next attempt. The flight again entered the fog, this time for a longer duration. Survivors stated they again heard the stall warning horn. The pilot applied power, but the airplane descended nose and right wing low. The airplane impacted the water approximately five to ten seconds after the stall warning horn was heard.
Witness and Survivor Accounts
Witnesses and survivors stated that the engine sounded normal throughout the entire flight. The airplane was recovered and examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Pilot Certification
The pilot's medical certificate expired after December 31, 1990, and he was not instrument rated.