Accident Details
A pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) departed and initially flew beneath a cloud layer at an altitude approximately 500 to 800 feet above the trees. When visual conditions deteriorated, the pilot continued flying using instruments, maintaining an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl). Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with terrain about 500 feet from the summit of a 2,937-foot mountain. When asked about the cause, the pilot stated, "Controlled flight into terrain."
Weather and Visibility
Witnesses reported that at the time of the accident, the mountain was obscured by a cloud layer extending from its summit down to approximately 2,000 feet. Lateral visibility was reported to be about 200 feet.
Pilot Information
The pilot had obtained an instrument rating five years prior to the accident. In the five years since, the pilot logged a total of 5.4 hours of instrument time during four flights. The most recent instrument experience was three years before the accident, when the pilot recorded 0.5 hours of actual instrument time.
Aircraft Examination
An examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies.