“The preliminary information is Island Express’s 135 certificate did not allow for IFR flight,” Holloway said. “No other specifics are available at this time.”The aircraft was equipped for instrument flying, however, multiple media reports said. Holloway told Reuters on Friday that it was unknown if the pilot was in fact flying on instruments at the time of the wreck. Air traffic controllers had given Zobayan “special visual flight rules,” or clearance to fly in the less-than-optimal weather around the Burbank airport. The pilot had reported that conditions were sufficient for visual flight, the Times said, adding that the weather appeared to have worsened as the flight continued.

Source: National Post January 31, 2020 19:41 UTC