Accident Details
While en route from Knoxville to Rome, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions including thunderstorm activity, clouds, and heavy rain. While flying in clouds at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed on the slope of a mountain. The wreckage was located five days later. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation and Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the pilot's decision to continue Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors identified included inadequate preflight preparation, high obstructions, rain, thunderstorm activity with heavy rain, mountain peaks shrouded in clouds, and the aircraft impacting the mountain at approximately 4,000 feet.