What happened
A private pilot was attempting to transit a 20-mile long mountainous pass on the day of the accident, having already delayed the flight three times. During the flight, weather conditions in the area had deteriorated. Pilot weather reports (PIREPS) from other aircraft flying through the pass indicated that approximately one mile west of the accident site, visibility had dropped to 1 mile with overcast ceilings at 700 feet. These reports also noted rain, mist, and easterly winds of 25 knots, gusting to 40 knots.
The aircraft impacted a tree located on a small ridge on the side of the valley at an altitude of 950 feet MSL. Following the impact, the aircraft traveled 380 linear feet and came to rest at an altitude of 700 feet MSL. The final ground track of the flight was 060 degrees magnetic, heading back toward the eastern entrance of the pass.
The investigation
The investigator-in-charge interviewed four pilots who had successfully transited the same pass during the period surrounding the accident. These pilots stated that at an altitude of 950 feet MSL, the aircraft would have been flying at or within the bases of the overcast clouds. Furthermore, these pilots noted they maintained altitudes between 300 and 800 feet to ensure continued visual contact with the terrain. A post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies.