What happened
During a flight conducted under visual flight rules, the pilot departed from his home base without submitting a flight plan or obtaining an official weather briefing from the FAA. While in transit, the pilot communicated with Southern California TRACON to request an ILSS runway 26 approach. At the time, the destination airport tower was closed, leaving no official weather reports available, though another pilot on the frequency indicated that visibility was near zero. Automated systems later confirmed these zero-visibility conditions.
As the pilot initiated a missed approach, witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft. However, instead of following the prescribed missed approach procedure, the pilot executed a right turn through a heading of 345 degrees, which was the reverse of the required direction. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck trees and a snack bar building located approximately one-quarter mile northwest of the runway's departure end.
Findings
Post-accident toxicology analysis of the pilot's blood revealed the presence of Fenfluramine and Phentermine, both of which are appetite suppressants chemically related to amphetamines. The concentration of Fenfluramine was found to be above levels typically used for appetite control. Neither of these substances is authorized for use by FAA-certified pilots during flight operations. The incorrect turn direction during the missed approach was a critical factor in the collision.