Incident Summary
A pilot and a private pilot observer were rescued the morning after spending a night with their wrecked aircraft in winter conditions. The aircraft became embedded in 3 feet of snow after the pilot executed a power-on mushing flare into pine trees.
Flight and Descent
The pilot was flying with a private pilot observer when they decided to divert from their planned destination due to en route weather conditions. During the diversion, the pilot descended through a hole in the clouds. While descending, the pilots lost visual contact with the surface.
Emergency Landing
After resuming level cruise flight, the pilot saw snow-covered trees ahead. He attempted to climb by adding full power and pitching the nose up. However, the terrain was rising faster than the airplane could climb. The pilot then pulled back on the control wheel and executed a power-on mushing flare into the pine trees. The aircraft came to a stop in 3 feet of snow.
Rescue
The two pilots remained with the wreckage overnight in winter conditions. They were rescued the following morning.