Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, an instrument-rated pilot was ferrying his airplane from Warrenton-Faquier Airport (W66), Warrenton, Virginia, to Winchester Regional Airport (OKV), Winchester, Virginia, for an annual inspection. Approximately three hours before departure, the pilot contacted flight service and stated he "would like to make a quick VFR flight from Warrenton over to Winchester" and inquired if he was "going to get a clear shot this afternoon for VFR." The briefer provided a forecast indicating visibility greater than 6 miles with a "best" overcast ceiling of 3,000 feet. The pilot did not request or receive the AIRMET that was issued and valid for mountain obscuration in Virginia.
Flight and Accident Sequence
During the flight, the airplane collided with mountainous terrain at the 1,604-foot level of a 1,880-foot-high mountain. The collision occurred in instrument meteorological conditions. When the airplane was reported missing, an air search could not be conducted due to low clouds, prompting a ground search. A Virginia State Trooper reported that the mountain had been fogged in on the day of the accident.
Investigation Findings
Data extracted from a handheld GPS recovered from the accident site depicted a northwesterly flight track from W66 toward OKV. The last recorded track point was superimposed over the accident site. Examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies.