Accident Overview
The accident occurred when the pilot lost control while cruising at an altitude of 19,000 feet in marginal weather conditions. The airplane crashed in a wooded area approximately nine miles northwest of Chester, California. The wreckage was discovered a few hours after the crash. The aircraft was destroyed, and all eight occupants were killed.
Circumstances
The aircraft was in cruise flight at 19,000 feet when it encountered adverse weather. The pilot continued VFR flight into these conditions, leading to a loss of control. The airplane entered an overcast layer at about 19,000 feet, resulting in an uncontrolled descent. The descent continued until impact with the terrain.
Wreckage and Injuries
The crash site was located in a wooded area. The aircraft was completely destroyed. All eight occupants suffered fatal injuries.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause was an uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors included spatial disorientation, exceedance of the aircraft's designed stress limits, overload failure, separation of the empennage in flight, and entry into overcast conditions at about 19,000 feet.