... I'm speculating if he had just followed I-5 he may still be around today.

I guess before speculating too much I should get the facts that are
available.  Here is the ntsb report on the accident for those who
are interested.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20001207X03044&ntsbno=SEA95LA053&akey=1

It does say his intended route of flight was I-5.  They mention the possibility
of ground fog in the area.

Accident occurred at Tiller Oregon, which is east of Roseburg and I-5.
The report also mentions the possibility he was trying to get to the east
side of the mountains because of fog on the west side.

I remember my first trip to CA just last January, the WX was excellent
but there was ground fog in the Roseburg area that obscured everything
but some mountaintops around.  Made me very nervous and I almost
turned back home.  But pressed on and by the time I got to Grants
Pass I-5 was visible again.
--
Perry Mick
Duckt N7XR
http://www.ductedfan.com

 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.              Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            http://www.linux.org