Narrative:

I was planning a departure from 0a7 in a C172 -- my destination was W88. My FSS WX briefing indicated ceilings at approximately 2000 ft AGL at the avl airport and improving to the east (3000 ft AGL and higher). Visibilities were 4-10 mi (4 mi at avl, 10 mi at GS0/W88). I elected to depart VFR and return to 0a7 if it appeared as though I could not safely make it over the 3000-4000 ft (MSL) ridge to the east. Immediately after departure, I began a climb to the east, ceilings appeared to be variable 1000 ft AGL to 1500 ft AGL at first, and I continued east at 600-700 ft AGL (2600-2700 ft MSL). I could not see the top of the ridge which I knew was in front of me and thought that I should return, but instead decided to contact ZTL (125.15) for a 'pop-up' IFR clearance. I was not able to hail them at first and realized that I had lost ground contact. I began a climb to the sectional quadrant mef of 4800 ft. In the meantime, ZTL told me to call avl approach. I was IMC at this point, continuing on a 090 degree heading. After instructing me to remain VFR (which I was unable to do, but did not tell them so), they cleared me to 7000 ft IFR. I believe that I erred in my judgement to continue my flight when I could not see the ridge top. I also regret that I was not truthful with ATC regarding maintaining VFR. I could have averted my situation by returning to 0a7 while still in VMC or by filing an IFR flight plan prior to departure.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA ACFT DEPARTING WITHOUT A FLT PLAN ENCOUNTERED WX AND RPTR PLT ENTERED IMC WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT CTR FOR AN IFR CLRNC. RPTR WAS INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN VFR, BUT DIDN'T TELL CTLR HE WAS UNABLE OR ALREADY IN THE CLOUDS.

Narrative: I WAS PLANNING A DEP FROM 0A7 IN A C172 -- MY DEST WAS W88. MY FSS WX BRIEFING INDICATED CEILINGS AT APPROX 2000 FT AGL AT THE AVL ARPT AND IMPROVING TO THE E (3000 FT AGL AND HIGHER). VISIBILITIES WERE 4-10 MI (4 MI AT AVL, 10 MI AT GS0/W88). I ELECTED TO DEPART VFR AND RETURN TO 0A7 IF IT APPEARED AS THOUGH I COULD NOT SAFELY MAKE IT OVER THE 3000-4000 FT (MSL) RIDGE TO THE E. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEP, I BEGAN A CLB TO THE E, CEILINGS APPEARED TO BE VARIABLE 1000 FT AGL TO 1500 FT AGL AT FIRST, AND I CONTINUED E AT 600-700 FT AGL (2600-2700 FT MSL). I COULD NOT SEE THE TOP OF THE RIDGE WHICH I KNEW WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD RETURN, BUT INSTEAD DECIDED TO CONTACT ZTL (125.15) FOR A 'POP-UP' IFR CLRNC. I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAIL THEM AT FIRST AND REALIZED THAT I HAD LOST GND CONTACT. I BEGAN A CLB TO THE SECTIONAL QUADRANT MEF OF 4800 FT. IN THE MEANTIME, ZTL TOLD ME TO CALL AVL APCH. I WAS IMC AT THIS POINT, CONTINUING ON A 090 DEG HDG. AFTER INSTRUCTING ME TO REMAIN VFR (WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO DO, BUT DID NOT TELL THEM SO), THEY CLRED ME TO 7000 FT IFR. I BELIEVE THAT I ERRED IN MY JUDGEMENT TO CONTINUE MY FLT WHEN I COULD NOT SEE THE RIDGE TOP. I ALSO REGRET THAT I WAS NOT TRUTHFUL WITH ATC REGARDING MAINTAINING VFR. I COULD HAVE AVERTED MY SIT BY RETURNING TO 0A7 WHILE STILL IN VMC OR BY FILING AN IFR FLT PLAN PRIOR TO DEP.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.