(No Such User) wrote in message ...
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.

From the report :"About 1 minute prior to the accident, the passenger
noticed that there was fire and smoke coming from the left seat rudder
pedal area. The pilot tried to move away from the flames and keep the
airplane level. "

I don't see why everone is getting hung up about the low altitude.
It would seem to me that if you have enough fire and smoke in the
cockpit that the pilot is dodging flames, more altitude is not going
to help (unless the pilot is dressed in a Nomex suit). It's quite
possible that the lower altitude is what allowed the flight instructor
to survive at all.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)