Weather Briefings and Conditions
The pilot, who was not instrument rated, received two weather briefings prior to departure. Both briefings forecast that marginal visual weather conditions existed along the route, including mountain obscuration in clouds, mist, and fog. Weather observations from reporting stations east and south of the airplane's route indicated cloud bases between 1,300 and 1,700 feet around the time of the accident. Another pilot flying in the general location of the crash site reported fog and low clouds in the area.
Flight and Accident
Based on all evidence, it is likely that the pilot continued the route of flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane subsequently collided with mountainous terrain in a controlled flight attitude at an elevation of 1,959 feet. This location was 845 feet below and 1.25 miles southeast of the 2,804-foot mountain summit.
Examination
A post-accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.