Flight Details
At 0841 EST, the pilot departed Macon, Georgia, on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to Anniston, Alabama. The aircraft was traveling to Anniston Municipal Airport, which has an elevation of 526 feet.
Weather Briefing
During an updated weather briefing at 0528 EST, the pilot was advised of flight precautions for IFR weather conditions in the Georgia and Alabama areas. While en route, at 0841 EST, the pilot contacted Atlanta Center and canceled his IFR flight plan. He was advised that the minimum safe altitude in his area was 2,900 feet MSL. Two minutes later, he contacted Anniston Radio and requested local weather. He received the latest reported weather (0756 CST): ceiling 1,500 feet broken, 3,100 feet overcast, visibility 5 miles with fog. At 0850 CST, the Anniston weather was reported as 800 feet overcast, visibility 4 miles in fog.
Accident Sequence
Following the cancellation of his IFR flight plan, the aircraft continued toward Anniston. Approximately 10 miles southwest of the airport, the aircraft impacted a mountain top at an elevation of about 2,300 feet. The impact occurred at approximately 0821 CST, about 22 miles southeast of the Anniston Airport. All four occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be the pilot attempting visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions below the minimum safe altitude for terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the low ceiling and mountainous terrain.