Hilton wrote:

This accident is a 'local' one for us Bay Area pilots. The report sure
makes interesting reading.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?...FA187& akey=1

Interesting that an instrument-rated pilot in an instrument-rated plane
instead of getting a "pop-up" IFR decided to scud-run through a mountain
pass shrouded in fog. Interesting that a CFI on board apparently assented
to this course. While an instrument flight plan certainly wouldn't have
prevented an in-flight fire, the MEA over that pass is 5500, which would
have given the pilot a lot more landing options.

I suppose it sounded like a good idea at the time.