Pilot's Pre-Departure Activities
The non-instrument rated private pilot stated that he and his wife arrived at the departure airport the day before the accident. The airplane was topped off with fuel, and they remained overnight in the local area. The following morning, the pilot and his wife returned to the airport and initially elected not to depart on the VFR flight due to weather obscuring the mountain tops. The pilot checked the weather using the Aviation Weather Observation Service and departed, but encountered weather along the route of flight and returned to the departure airport 30 minutes later. The pilot and his wife remained at the airport and departed VFR at 1530.
In-Flight Weather and Maneuvering
The pilot stated he encountered a cloud while attempting to climb over the mountains. The base of the cloud was about 2,000 feet, and he was at 3,500 feet. The pilot attempted to maneuver around the cloud in an attempt to clear a ridgeline. He stated he could not reverse his direction due to insufficient space to turn around. The mountain top is at an elevation of 4,461 feet. The airplane collided with the mountain 1,261 feet below the top of the mountain.
Surface Weather Observation
The surface weather observation at the departure airport reported visibility 10 miles, 2,700 feet broken, and 3,800 feet overcast.
Accident Sequence and Post-Accident Actions
The airplane collided with trees and came to a stop. The pilot exited the airplane, walked most of the night trying to find help, and located a camper the following morning. The camper called the emergency 911 operators, and the pilot was transported to a local area hospital. The pilot stated the airplane did not experience a mechanical failure or malfunction before the accident.