Incident Summary
A pilot flying from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, encountered worsening weather conditions along the route. The pilot reported that the weather deteriorated to the point where he could not find a way around it. Attempting to climb above the clouds proved unsuccessful, and after emerging from cloud cover, he began a descent in an effort to return to Bryce Canyon, Utah.
Forced Landing
As the cloud ceiling continued to lower, the pilot began searching for a suitable place to land. Rain persisted, and he was ultimately forced to land immediately in a field. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a rut, causing it to deviate into rougher terrain.
Impact and Damage
The aircraft then struck a mound of dirt and rocks, shearing off the nose wheel. The impact caused the airplane to stand on its end before tipping over. The left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft subsequently fell back onto its main landing gear.
Weather Information
According to a Flight Service Station (FSS) specialist, the pilot had been advised of deteriorating weather conditions along the mountains in eastern and southern Utah, in the vicinity of Bryce Canyon.