N5876G

On May 12, 1998, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150K, N5876G, operated by a private pilot collided with trees and the terrain during a go-around after attempting to land in a parking lot at the Pine Knob Ski Resort in Clarkston, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in instrument meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damage. The flight originated from Michigan City, Indiana, at 0630 eastern standard time.

The pilot reported he was en route to the Big Beaver Airport in Troy, Michigan, when the accident occurred. He reported that during his preflight weather briefing he was informed of fog in the area at his destination, but it was forecast to dissipate prior to his estimated time of arrival.

The pilot reported that as he neared Jackson, Michigan, "... a low level, broken layer of cloud cover appeared and extended east over the area." He reported that the weather at 3,500 feet above mean sea level was clear. The pilot stated he contacted Detroit Approach Control and was instructed to stay out of the Class-B Airspace. He then decided to continue to his destination using the Jackson and Salem VORs to navigate. He reported that upon reaching an area that he believed was in the vicinity of the Big Beaver Airport, he "... saw the ground through a hole in the clouds. I decided to descend through the cloud cover and continue my course to 3BB below the overcast layer." He reported that after descending through the clouds, he found himself in an area which he recognized as the Pine Knob Resort. He then attempted to proceed below the clouds to his destination only to find himself at tree top level. He reported that at this point he elected to turn around and return to the Pine Knob area where the visibility was a little better.

Upon reaching the Pine Knob Resort, the pilot elected to land in an open parking area. He reported that once the airplane touched down he discovered the surface was wet and covered with loose gravel which resulted in "little brake effect." The pilot reported, "I then realized that I could not stop before reaching a ditch and a line of trees at the end of the parking lot. I then opened the throttle and tried to take off again. I lifted off, hit a tree and the next thing I remember was being pulled from the plane."

The pilot reported the sky was obscured and visibility was 0 to 1/4 mile due to fog in the area when the accident occurred.