Incident Overview
A private certificated pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight in a float-equipped airplane under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The pilot filed a VFR flight plan that included transiting a narrow mountain pass. According to the pilot, he received a full weather briefing before departure.
Sequence of Events
Prior to entering the mountain pass, the pilot observed three airplanes flying in the opposite direction exit the pass, which led him to believe the pass was open. However, once inside the pass, the clouds closed in rapidly, and the pilot lost sight of the river he had been following. In a written statement, the pilot described the pass as "scuddy" and reported starting a slow descent.
Upon losing sight of the river, the pilot asked the pilot-rated right-seat passenger if he could see the river. According to the pilot, the passenger saw a stream on the right, panicked, shouted "turn right," and grabbed the controls, turning the airplane to the right. The pilot stated that he regained control of the airplane and made a steep left turn, at which point the airplane impacted terrain on a 45-degree slope.
Post-Accident Information
The pilot reported no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The impact with terrain resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. In his written statement, the pilot noted that he should have entered the pass at a lower altitude and should not have been "scud running." He also indicated that the accident would not have happened if the passenger had not panicked, grabbed the controls, and made the right turn.