What happened
Following a departure from Bellingham airport under Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions, an aircraft entered an area characterized by a 500-foot ceiling and 2-mile visibility. After the pilot successfully cleared the Bellingham Class D airspace, the aircraft was observed by a witness flying at a very low altitude over a body of water. The aircraft was seen transitioning between the water and cloud layers before turning toward rising, forested terrain and disappearing into the fog.
Shortly after this sighting, the aircraft crashed. Debris, including components from the left wing and the left horizontal stabilizer, was located approximately 0.25 miles from the primary impact site near the crest of a hill. These fragments contained plant material and structural damage, suggesting they struck treetops before the final impact. The main wreckage site showed evidence of an uncontrolled ground impact.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or issues with the cargo prior to the aircraft striking the trees. The primary factor in the accident was the aircraft striking trees while flying in low visibility and low cloud ceilings.