Background
The pilot departed under visual flight rules (VFR) for a planned cross-country flight over mountainous terrain.
Flight Details
During the climb to cruise phase, the pilot requested and received VFR radar flight following service. He also requested a cloud top report from the controller, who replied that he did not have a report for the geographic area.
Accident Sequence
Radar data showed that the pilot continued climbing in a southerly direction toward rising mountainous terrain until reaching 10,200 feet msl. Over the next few minutes, the airplane gradually descended and made a left, 270-degree turn. The pilot informed the controller that he had gotten himself "in the soup" and was trying "to get out of it." The controller advised the pilot that the minimum vectoring altitude for the area was 11,600 feet. No response was received from the pilot.
The radar data showed that during this time the airplane descended and impacted a mountaintop near the 8,000-foot msl elevation. A skier located less than 3/4-mile from the accident site at 7,000 feet msl reported hearing the sound of an engine which abruptly stopped with a "thud" sound. The skier reported he was unable to see the sky because the clouds covered the mountaintop.
Investigation Findings
An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any mechanical malfunction. The ground scars and wreckage signatures showed the airplane was in controlled flight when the ground collision occurred.