At about 1345 Hawaiian standard time, the airplane impacted the southeast side of a ridge while approaching the Honolulu International Airport. The non-instrument rated private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Instrument conditions prevailed in the area surrounding the accident site; the pilot was receiving VFR flight following. The pilot had an extensive history flying on the island and had performed thousands of flights in the area. A witness heard the airplane crash into a ridge about 50 yards from his location. He could hear the engine all the way; the airplane did not seem to turn or pull up. Visibility was so bad that he was not able to see the airplane.
