Background
On the day before the accident, the pilot of N396PM flew to Asheville but was unable to reach his destination, Mountain Air Airport, due to low cloud ceilings and visibility. He completed the trip by rental car. The next day, he returned the rental car and departed Asheville at 1656 en route to Mountain Air Airport, located 27 miles north of Asheville.
Accident Sequence
At 1701:44, the pilot made his last radio contact with Asheville controllers, reporting visual flight rule conditions at 4,000 feet. The last radar contact, made by FAA Atlanta Center at 1704:00, placed the flight about 5 miles south of the accident site at 3,800 feet. The flight did not arrive at its destination. An emergency locator transmitter signal was received by satellite, prompting search and rescue operations. The pilot and wreckage were located the following day around 1400.
The airplane had collided with 75-foot-tall trees at approximately 4,800 feet mean sea level on the side of Bullhead Mountain, while in a wings-level attitude on a 170-degree heading. After initial impact, the airplane continued for another 300 feet, undergoing general breakup. The main wreckage came to rest on a northerly heading. All components were accounted for, and no evidence of pre-crash failure or malfunction of the structure, flight controls, systems, engine, or propeller was found.
Weather Conditions
A witness reported very foggy conditions near the accident time on the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 3/4 mile west of the crash site. Satellite images indicated clouds were present. Asheville airport, 20 miles south-southwest, reported overcast clouds at 2,600 feet above ground level (4,765 feet MSL) and visibility of 4 miles in haze. An AIRMET for mountain obscuration due to clouds, mist, and haze was in effect at departure and accident times. No record was found that the pilot received a weather briefing from a Flight Service Station.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined the probable cause to be the pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, resulting in the airplane colliding with mountainous terrain.