Accident Overview
A non-instrument rated pilot operating a flight from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Elko, Nevada, crashed into mountainous terrain near Grindstone Peak. The accident resulted in the death of both occupants. The aircraft was found the morning after the accident approximately 10 miles southwest of Elko Airport at an elevation of about 6,000 feet mean sea level.
Flight History
The pilot obtained an abbreviated weather briefing before departure. The briefing included advisories of mountain obscuration, icing, and turbulence, and the pilot was informed that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. Despite this, the pilot filed and activated a VFR flight plan. The aircraft departed Las Vegas at 1414 Pacific Daylight Time. The last radio communication with the aircraft occurred at 1545 Pacific Daylight Time, about 14 miles south of Elko. Several local residents reported that a thunderstorm was passing through the area at that time.
Investigation Findings
An examination of the airframe and engine at the accident site revealed no mechanical problems. Toxicology tests detected 4.8 mg/kg of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, in the pilot's liver tissue.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is the pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his failure to maintain altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were the adverse weather conditions, high (mountainous/hilly) terrain, and the pilot's lack of instrument experience.