SEA98LA070

The pilot reported that while en route through a mountain pass, the ceiling was higher than what was reported. The pilot continued the flight through the pass, however, the ceiling began to lower and he opted to reverse direction. The pilot made a 180 degree turn to the left, and at the completion of the turn, noted that the clouds had closed in behind him. The pilot stated that he started another 180 degree turn to the right, and during this turn, entered the clouds. The pilot stated that he was about 150 degrees into the second turn when he popped out of the clouds and was within seconds of impacting a steep mountain side. The pilot stated that there was not sufficient room to avoid a collision, and leveled the wings, pulled the throttle off to stall the airplane as if landing, and aim the nose of the airplane between two trees for the collision. The pilot stated that both wings were bent aft from the impact with the trees, however, the collision with the ground was minor. At the time of the accident, the weather reporting facility reported a 300 foot overcast ceiling. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

On May 5, 1998, at about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6468D, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain while maneuvering in mountainous terrain about ten miles northeast of Enumclaw, Washington. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had departed from Cle Elum, Washington, about 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had taken off from Spokane, Washington, earlier in the day. The pilot stated that while en route to Fall City, Washington, the Cascade mountain passes were obscured by weather and he opted to land at Cle Elum. While on the ground, the pilot checked the weather, and at about 1230, the pilot stated that he decided to depart Cle Elum and fly to Ellensburg, Washington, for lunch and to refuel, but to fly over toward Stampede Pass first to check the weather. The pilot stated that as he entered Stampede Pass, the ceiling was about 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) over the pass, and higher than what the weather briefer had reported to the pilot prior to take off. The pilot could see that the ceilings were about 2,000 feet to 2,500 feet AGL on the southwest side of the pass. As the flight continued into the pass, the ceiling lowered and the pilot opted to turn around. The pilot stated that he had been flying close to the side of the valley, and made a 180 degree turn to the left. When the turn was completed, the pilot noted that the clouds had closed in behind him. The pilot stated that he started another 180 degree turn to the right, and during this turn, entered the clouds. The pilot stated that he was about 150 degrees into the second turn when he popped out of the clouds and was within seconds of impacting a steep mountain side. The pilot stated that there was not sufficient room to avoid a collision, and leveled the wings, pulled the throttle off to stall the airplane, as if landing, and aim the nose of the airplane between two trees for the collision. The pilot stated that both wings were bent aft from the impact with the trees, however, the collision with the ground was minor.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

At the time of the accident, the Stampede Pass weather reporting facility was reporting a 300 foot overcast ceiling.