LAX83FA020

At 1830, the plt received a wx briefing for a flt from fair oaks to san jose, CA with a passenger pickup stop at sacramento, CA. During the briefing, he was told that he ought to be able to make it if he traveled below 4000 ft MSL & left within the next hr. He flew to sacramento & after a passenger pickup, he took off at 1956 for san jose. About 30 min later, the acft crashed, 43 mi west southwest of sacramento, while on a northeastly heading at an elevation of 600 ft MSL. The crash site was located on rising terrain in foot hills, aprx 32 mi to the right (west) of a straight line navigational route between sacramento & san jose. Local residents heard the acft & saw a fire from the crash. They reported that the wx was poor with low clouds, rain, gusty winds & lightning. An exam of the crash site revealed that the acft impacted in a 60 to 90 deg right wing down, slightly nose low, attitude. No preimpact,mechanical malfunction or failure was found.