Accident Narrative
A commercial pilot departed under special VFR conditions on a CFR part 135 flight to a remote lake. Along the route, low clouds, rain, and fog were present in an area of mountainous terrain. The pilot intended to transit the area via a narrow mountain pass. Upon entering the pass, he discovered that the ceiling and visibility would not allow safe passage. He made an emergency 180-degree turn in an attempt to exit the pass, and during the turn, the airplane collided with terrain. After initial impact, the airplane slid downhill approximately 100 feet and came to rest on a 35-degree slope.
Weather Conditions
The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident as: ceiling 500-foot overcast, visibility 2 miles with rain and fog, wind 360 degrees at 8 knots.
Aircraft Status
The pilot noted no pre-accident anomalies with the airplane.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's delayed remedial action (course reversal), low ceilings, rain, fog, and mountainous terrain.