Accident Overview
A pilot was operating a flight to a destination airport situated in a narrow river valley. The surrounding area was under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and nearly unlimited visibility. However, the airport itself was covered by a localized, dense layer of fog estimated to be 200 to 250 feet thick. The airport was non-controlled and had no instrument approaches.
Flight Sequence
Witnesses observed the pilot flying at low altitude up the valley. As the flight neared the airport, the pilot entered the fog layer. Approximately one mile from the airport, the pilot attempted to climb out of the valley. During the climb, the airplane began striking trees on the rising terrain. The cumulative damage from the tree impacts caused the airplane to descend into the terrain.
Post-Accident Inspection
An examination of the airframe and engines revealed no evidence of any mechanical failure or malfunction.
Probable Cause
The pilot's intentional visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and terrain during climb. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions of fog and a low ceiling, and the mountainous/hilly terrain.