Accident Sequence
The airplane collided with a power line during the initial climb of an instrument departure. Prior to departure, the pilot received weather briefings that reported localized ground fog engulfing the airport of intended departure.
While holding short of the runway, the ground controller read the departure clearance to the pilot. The pilot copied and read back part of the clearance, but excluded the departure frequency. After takeoff, the pilot started a climbing left turn, and the controller directed him to contact departure. Not knowing the frequency, the pilot requested that the tower advise him of the correct frequency. The tower replied with the appropriate frequency.
The pilot glanced at his radios and noted that the active and standby frequencies were not tuned to the frequency the tower had prescribed. He reached over and input the frequency corresponding to the tower's assignment. After tuning the correct frequency, he looked back at the instrument panel and then outside the cockpit. He noticed that wires were directly in his flight path, with a building close behind them. The left wing impacted a power line, and the airplane came to rest in a pasture. A post-impact fire consumed the airplane.
Weather Conditions
The airport's weather observation facility reported that 5 minutes after the accident, the runway visual range was less than 1/4 statute miles visibility, and vertical visibility was 100 feet.