Accident Overview
A pilot received a standard weather briefing from a Flight Service Station prior to departure. The specialist reported that VFR flight was not recommended due to low ceilings, mountain obscuration, and icing conditions along the proposed route. After the briefing, the pilot was overheard discussing the situation with passengers, and a decision was made to "go and see how it was."
Witness Accounts
Witnesses traveling on a highway parallel to the accident site reported observing the airplane descending through the clouds in a nose-down attitude with a steep left bank. The weather at the accident site was described as having a low ceiling at approximately 200 feet AGL. The tops of surrounding hills were obscured, and rain was falling. To the south—the direction of flight—the ceiling was lower and characterized as "heavy fog."
On-Site Investigation
During the on-site investigation, the wreckage distribution path measured 527 feet. Ground signatures indicated that the airplane initially touched down on the left main landing gear, skipped about 10 feet, and then all three landing gear made contact. Immediately following the landing gear signatures, a large crater was observed. Wreckage was scattered along the path leading to the main wreckage.
Post-Crash Inspection
Post-crash inspection found no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Toxicological samples from the pilot detected the presence of sedating over-the-counter antihistamines and metabolites commonly resulting from the ingestion of multi-symptom over-the-counter cough and cold medications.