Narrative:

I had just landed and dropped off several friends. On landing IFR a few minutes earlier; the weather was about 1200 overcast; which agreed with the ATIS. My next leg was short - around the south side of the local class B to my base at ZZZ. When I checked the ATIS again; the ceiling was up to 2700 overcast; so I decided to depart VFR. I told clearance delivery I did not need a code or flight following for the 20 minute trip around the south side of the class B. I've done that route at least a hundred times in the last 25 years. The ATIS was way off. The ceiling at the field was more like 1200 overcast. It went up slightly to the south; so I continued. Within 15 miles; it was down to 800 feet; but the visibility was good. I continued clear of clouds. I checked the AWOS at a nearby field - it was reporting 2200 overcast; so I continued. When I got close to there it was 900 overcast; but still reporting 2200 overcast. When I landed at ZZZ; it was about 900 overcast. I got suckered into scud-running because of an ATIS I should not have believed; because I know the route well; because of an AWOS I should not have believed; and because I wanted to get home from a 4-day trip. There is no instrument approach at ZZZ. I should have left the plane where I was and caught a ride home or rented a car. It's been years since I have scud-run - it's just not something a responsible pilot should do; especially in a fast; pressurized twin. Lots of bad things can happen at those speeds close to the ground. It turned out okay; but in the same situation; I would not do it again.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C340 pilot was suckered into scud running by optimistic ATIS/AWOS reports and the lack of an instrument approach at his destination airport.

Narrative: I had just landed and dropped off several friends. On landing IFR a few minutes earlier; the weather was about 1200 overcast; which agreed with the ATIS. My next leg was short - around the south side of the local Class B to my base at ZZZ. When I checked the ATIS again; the ceiling was up to 2700 overcast; so I decided to depart VFR. I told Clearance Delivery I did not need a code or flight following for the 20 minute trip around the south side of the Class B. I've done that route at least a hundred times in the last 25 years. The ATIS was way off. The ceiling at the field was more like 1200 overcast. It went up slightly to the south; so I continued. Within 15 miles; it was down to 800 feet; but the visibility was good. I continued clear of clouds. I checked the AWOS at a nearby field - it was reporting 2200 overcast; so I continued. When I got close to there it was 900 overcast; but still reporting 2200 overcast. When I landed at ZZZ; it was about 900 overcast. I got suckered into scud-running because of an ATIS I should not have believed; because I know the route well; because of an AWOS I should not have believed; and because I wanted to get home from a 4-day trip. There is no instrument approach at ZZZ. I should have left the plane where I was and caught a ride home or rented a car. It's been years since I have scud-run - it's just not something a responsible pilot should do; especially in a fast; pressurized twin. Lots of bad things can happen at those speeds close to the ground. It turned out okay; but in the same situation; I would not do it again.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.