Flight Details
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft requested a visual flight rules (VFR) departure eastbound to Waterville with radar flight following. He stated he would be flying VFR through Stampede Pass. After takeoff, the aircraft was tracked on radar heading east-northeast at an altitude of 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL).
Accident Sequence
Shortly after departure, the pilot cancelled flight following, stating he could maintain VFR and would be staying low. The aircraft subsequently impacted rapidly upsloping terrain one mile north of Interstate 90 at an elevation of 3,950 feet MSL. The accident site is located on the north side of a valley through which Interstate 90 runs eastbound. The approximate minimum lateral distance across the valley at the 4,000-foot level is 12,000 feet.
Weather Conditions
At 1555 Pacific Daylight Time, the Stampede Pass weather observation facility, located 15 miles from the accident site at an elevation of 3,800 feet, reported indefinite ceiling obscuration (at the surface) with one-eighth mile visibility in fog.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed the flap handle had been pulled up into a position of partial flap extension.