On August 8, 1995, a Cessna 210C (registration N3698Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Dawsonville, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF THE WEATHER FORECAST AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER (INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS), RESULTING IN AN IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WHILE MANEUVERING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flying VFR obtained a weather briefing indicating marginal VFR to IFR conditions, then departed and collided with mountainous terrain in a descending right turn under IFR conditions. The aircraft was found 11 days later.
Accident Overview
A pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) departed and made an intermediate landing to check weather conditions along the planned route. At the intermediate airport, the pilot obtained a weather briefing from a flight service station. The briefing advised of a stationary front and marginal VFR to instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions along the route. Despite the advisory, the pilot departed again under VFR.
Collision with Terrain
During the flight, the airplane collided with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in a descending right turn. At the time of the accident, IFR conditions prevailed in the area.
Discovery and Pilot Background
The wreckage was located 11 days after the accident. The pilot's logbook was not found. However, friends of the pilot reported that he had verbally indicated on several occasions that he had not flown on instruments in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) for over 20 years.