ATL99LA013

The student pilot was at the controls of the airplane while navigating between mountains following a major highway. Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) were encountered and the flight instructor took over as Pilot-In-Command. A climb was initiated through IMC, on course, in order to attain Visual Meteorological Conditions above the lowered ceiling and mountainous terrain. Shortly after initiating the climb, the airplane collided with trees and mountainous terrain.

On November 8, 1998, about 1640 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172N, N4696G, collided with trees and mountainous terrain near Lima, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the registered owner under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight. There were minor injuries to the owner/private pilot, no injuries to the flight instructor, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated in Hendersonville, North Carolina, about 1630 destined for Greenville, South Carolina.

According to the student pilot, the airplane departed Hendersonville Airport with himself in the left seat and the flight instructor in the right seat. The student pilot was advised that the flight instructor would take over if IMC conditions were encountered during the flight. The student pilot was at the controls as the airplane was being navigated between mountains following a major highway. According to the student, he was advised to stay below the lowering overcast and follow Highway 25 to Greenville, South Carolina. After following a bend in the highway, IMC was encountered and the flight instructor took over as Pilot-In-Command. A climb was initiated through IMC, on course, in order to attain Visual Meteorological Conditions above the lowered ceiling and mountainous terrain. Shortly after initiating the climb, the airplane collided with trees and mountainous terrain. The flight instructor stated, "He failed to recall that the highway, and the valley, deviated to the west. Normally they would not descend below the tops of the mountains flying this route, but allowed themselves to descend rather than turn around when the cloud ceiling lowered." The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.