Incident
While approaching Santa Barbara, the pilot of a single-engine airplane encountered marginal weather conditions characterized by a low ceiling. The airplane went out of control and crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately 13 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. Search and rescue operations were initiated, but despite the efforts, the wreckage was never located.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be an uncontrolled collision with water following the pilot's decision to operate the aircraft with known equipment deficiencies, which led to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors included a failure or delay in initiating emergency procedures, an erratic attitude gyro, low ceiling, visibility of four miles or less, an artificial horizon malfunction that was known prior to departure, the application of WD-40 to the instruments, and the pilot having advised air traffic control en route of the lack of a functioning gyro.