Accident Overview
The accident occurred during an instrument departure climbout to VFR conditions on top. The airplane struck a coastal mountain slope in near-vertical, diving flight. Impact destroyed the airplane's instruments and switches.
Flight History
Radar data indicated that the initial climbout proceeded on course. However, upon reaching the initial navigational fix, the airplane ceased climbing and turned in the wrong direction toward rising terrain.
Communication and Radar Data
The pilot reported no difficulty and his voice was calm. An engine sound, audible in the background of the communication, was smooth and synchronized. The air traffic controller issued a terrain warning and instructed the pilot to reverse course immediately if not in VFR conditions. In the following 14 seconds, the aircraft climbed 400 feet and then disappeared from radar.
Wreckage
The airplane's instruments and switches were destroyed by the impact. The exact details of the wreckage were not further specified in the source.