Flight Departure and Attempted IFR Clearance
The pilot took off from an uncontrolled airport and subsequently attempted to obtain an IFR clearance. While communicating with air traffic control, he reported that he was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) at 3,500 feet.
Loss of Radio Contact
As air traffic control personnel were locating the pilot's flight plan and coordinating the IFR clearance, radio contact with the pilot was lost. Despite the loss of communication, the pilot continued to fly toward his destination, transiting rising mountainous terrain that was partially obscured by clouds.
Wreckage Discovery
Wreckage was located approximately 28 nautical miles from the departure airport, at an elevation of 4,050 feet. No evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction was found.
Regulatory Context
Under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91.3, the pilot had ultimate authority for the operation of the airplane. In the event of an in-flight emergency, the pilot was authorized to deviate from flight rules to the extent required to meet that emergency. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), an emergency could be either a distress or an urgency condition. An urgency condition would exist the moment the pilot becomes doubtful about position, weather, or any other condition that could adversely affect flight safety. Under FAR Part 91.3, the pilot would have been authorized to climb the airplane under instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions, even if entering controlled airspace.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was the pilot's continued VFR flight into obscured, rising mountainous terrain and his failure to climb the airplane as conditions worsened. Contributing factors included the rising terrain and the weather obscuration.