JP,
You miss the point.
I agree that the weather at the crash site was in cloud.
Why the aircraft arrived at that point can't be determined with absolutely no doubt whatsoever.
The aircraft was seen by Mr Holbrook, below that cloud. He could also see the lighthouse.
Tandem makes an interesting point. The flight rules were exactly the same, whether the aircraft carried just its crew, or 20+ of the most important people in the province.
Any guess how much attention this accident would have generated in the former case?
Reason? I reckon Wratten and Day felt exposed to criticism as so many VIPs had perished, hence the draconian measures to shift the blame down the food chain. Despicable