Background
The accident involved an airline transport certificated pilot and two pilot-rated passengers on a personal flying vacation in Alaska. The pilot received a VFR check-out in a rented airplane and was the only person authorized by its owner to operate the aircraft.
Weather
The pilot obtained a weather briefing for the day of the accident and queried an FAA automated flight service station specialist about VFR conditions for a sightseeing flight. The specialist stated, "Well, it doesn't really look good probably anywhere today..." The area forecast included areas of marginal VFR and IFR conditions, as well as an AIRMET for mountain obscuration. Cloud and sky conditions were reported as scattered clouds at 1,500 feet in light rain showers, with areas of isolated ceilings below 1,000 feet and visibility below 3 statute miles in rain showers and mist.
Approximately two hours before the accident airplane departed, a pilot about 23 miles north of the accident scene reported fog and mist to the water and stated an inability to maintain VFR. Five minutes after receiving the briefing, the accident pilot called the AFSS again to obtain the telephone number for an automated weather observing system south of the departure point, where VFR conditions were forecast.
Local fishing charter captains reported fog in the area of the islands where the accident occurred. One vessel captain heard an airplane in the vicinity but could not see it due to fog.
Accident
The pilot did not file a flight plan or indicate any planned itinerary. The airplane was reported overdue two days after departure, and the wreckage was located two days later on the north cliff face of a remote island. The airplane had collided with the island at high speed at an elevation of about 800 feet mean sea level. A post-crash fire incinerated the cockpit and cabin area.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause stated: "The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with an island cliff during cruise flight. A factor contributing to the accident was fog in the area of the accident."