On September 25, 1988, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N1047Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Toledo, WA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot took off from an uncontrolled strip in marginal weather, believing he could reach good VFR conditions. After encountering IMC and losing control, he attempted a forced landing but stalled and crashed while avoiding trees.
Event Description
A pilot undertook a departure from an uncontrolled airstrip. The weather conditions at the time were described as marginal. The pilot held the belief that the departure would lead to good VFR conditions. Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft encountered solid instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). This situation caused the pilot to momentarily lose control of the aircraft. Control was subsequently regained, but the aircraft had lost altitude. The pilot then observed terrain below and decided to attempt an off-airport landing in a field. During this attempt, the aircraft's speed was noted to be too fast for a normal landing. As the pilot approached the end of the field, trees were present. In an effort to avoid those trees, the pilot executed a left turn without adding power. Immediately following this maneuver, the aircraft stalled and crashed.