What happened
Operating under CFR part 135 regulations, a commercial pilot initiated a flight to a remote lake under special VFR conditions. The flight path required traversing mountainous terrain characterized by heavy rain, fog, and low cloud cover. The pilot planned to navigate through a specific narrow mountain pass to reach the destination.
Upon entering the pass, the pilot determined that the prevailing weather conditions, specifically the cloud ceiling and visibility, were insufficient for safe passage. In an effort to exit the area, the pilot executed an emergency 180-degree turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck the terrain. Following the initial impact, the aircraft slid approximately 100 feet down a slope measuring 35 degrees before coming to a final stop.
At the time of the accident, the weather featured a 500-foot overcast ceiling and visibility of 2 miles, accompanied by rain and fog. Winds were recorded at 8 knots from a 360-degree direction. There were no reported mechanical issues or anomalies with the aircraft prior to the crash.
Findings
- The pilot encountered insufficient visibility and ceiling height to safely navigate the intended mountain pass.
- The accident occurred during an emergency maneuvering attempt to avoid terrain.