Incident Summary
An airplane operating under visual flight rules (VFR) collided with Mount Rainier at the 12,700-foot level. The pilot had been in contact with air traffic control (ATC) and had reported the need for a higher altitude to maintain VFR conditions.
Sequence of Events
During the VFR flight, the pilot informed ATC that a higher altitude was necessary to remain VFR. ATC approved the request and asked whether the pilot had Mount Rainier in sight. The pilot responded negatively but stated that they were VFR on top.
Approximately 15 minutes later, when the aircraft was about 5 miles south-southwest of Mount Rainier, ATC again inquired if the pilot had the mountain in sight. The pilot did not respond to this transmission or to the next two subsequent ATC calls. When the pilot finally responded to the fourth transmission, ATC directed the flight to make an immediate left turn to a heading of 310 and to verify unless Mount Rainier was in sight. The pilot acknowledged the instruction.
Shortly after this acknowledgment, the airplane flew into Mount Rainier at an altitude of 12,700 feet.
Environmental Conditions
A climber who was on the mountain at the time of the accident reported that visibility was limited to 50 yards and that high winds were present.