Accident Overview
A rental airplane collided with terrain after the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions during a cross-country flight. The pilot had briefed a dispatcher before departure, stating that clouds along the intended route were at 3,100 feet and that he planned to fly at 2,500 feet. He also reported clear weather at the destination. After takeoff, the flight encountered instrument conditions and subsequently struck a mountain.
Flight Details
The pilot, who had received his private pilot certification less than three weeks earlier, was not instrument rated. The airplane impacted a 3,280-foot mountain, which was part of a chain with maximum local elevations ranging from approximately 2,500 feet to over 3,200 feet above sea level.
Wreckage
The wreckage was located on a 30-degree slope at an elevation of about 2,370 feet above sea level.