What happened
The pilot received three weather briefings prior to takeoff, but the flight departed under VFR conditions without a filed flight plan. During the flight, witnesses reported hearing a low-flying airplane characterized by a sputtering engine, which was then followed by the sound of the engine revving up and an impact.
At the time of the accident, instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area. Weather observations recorded 2 1/2 statute miles of visibility in heavy rain, with fog reported at 1355 at a weather station located approximately 4.88 nautical miles from the crash site at 102 degrees magnetic. A search for the overdue aircraft was conducted, and the wreckage was located 3 days after the accident.
The investigation
An examination of the engine, flight controls, and the airplane revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure occurring prior to the impact. The aircraft had been operated for approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes since the fuel tanks were last filled. However, investigators could not locate maintenance logbooks for the airplane or the pilot's logbook, making it impossible to determine if the pilot was current to fly in instrument meteorological conditions.
Maintenance records from the aircraft's last country of registration showed the last inspection occurred on October 21, 1993. Additionally, the ELT failed to operate because it was in the 'off' position and the battery voltage was below the required level. There was no record of the pilot receiving any in-flight advisories.