Incident Overview
A pilot operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) did not obtain a formal weather briefing before departure. While en route, the pilot changed the intended destination. The flight proceeded to a nearby VOR navigation aid and then continued nearly over the intended airport. After overshooting the airport, the pilot informed the controller that he would orbit in that area to look for a break in the clouds.
Sequence of Events
The pilot observed a hole in the clouds, advised the controller, and canceled his IFR clearance. Subsequently, while descending over mountainous terrain, the airplane first collided with trees on the upslope side of the mountain at an elevation of about 3,200 feet mean sea level. The airplane then continued descending in a left wing low attitude and collided with the downslope side of the mountain.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.
Weather Information
At the destination airport, which has an elevation of 1,700 feet, the weather about 41 minutes before the crash was reported by a pilot-witness as a broken ceiling of about 2,000 feet above ground level.