Departure and Weather Conditions
The flight departed Greenville at 1820. The weather at that time was estimated with an overcast ceiling between 2,000 and 2,500 feet.
Terrain and Visibility
Horseshoe Pond, situated at 1,500 feet mean sea level, is surrounded by mountains reaching 2,700 feet. As the aircraft approached the pass, the pond was initially visible. However, a prevailing south wind had caused fog to roll over the ridge and envelop the pass. Visibility rapidly deteriorated to near zero within yards of the pond.
Forced Landing
Unable to turn around within the confines of the pass, the pilot executed a forced landing in the tree tops.