Date: 201506
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: Marginal
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We departed on a personal flight from Airport ZZZ. The ceilings were reported to be 1;900 feet MSL; and that was confirmed on our climb. Previously I had checked the weather both on my phone and at the computer at the FBO and found ceilings were 1;900 feet; but the ceilings were looking lower to the north. I did not get an official weather briefing; which was a mistake. I also did not get a briefing from an actual person which may have delayed my flight. The satellite picture showed improving skies [90 NM] to the north along our intended route.We previously had flown into ZZZ from the south and the reported ceilings of 1;900 feet MSL were confirmed. We managed to stay below the clouds; but at times it was stressful and difficult. This led me to believe that we could again stay below the clouds VFR until the skies cleared to the north.Our takeoff was uneventful. We managed to fly 20 miles north of ZZZ before the overcast clouds started forcing us down. Suddenly my GPS went into terrain warning mode displaying numerous towers in our path. [At 30 NM north] I noticed terrain increasing in height and made the decision to turn immediately 180 degrees back to ZZZ but it was too late. After initiating the turn; we were completely in IMC.I tried to stay calm and initiated a climb to the east getting on the gauges. I maintained wings level and tried to hold my heading on east as closely as possible. I resisted panic and thought about declaring an emergency; but I felt I had to maintain aircraft control over anything else. I made constant changes to aircraft while scanning gauges and resisting both vertigo and spatial disorientation.After about ten minutes or so we managed to climb into clear VFR conditions on top at 5;500 feet MSL and proceeded to the northeast; [diverting to ZZZ1.]My overconfidence in the weather clearing and disregard of potential consequences led to the flight which nearly cost me my life and the lives of my family members who were on board. In retrospect I should have stayed on the ground until the ceilings improved but I was anxious to get home after flying all day and I was overcome with wishful thinking. I should have gotten an in-person weather briefing which would have likely persuaded me to stay on the ground. From now on I will set personal minimums in terms of ceilings in which I will fly VFR and will finish my IFR rating which I have not completed.




Synopsis: The pilot of a Cessna 172 departed in marginal conditions; expecting to find improving conditions along the route. Instead; the flight was required to descend to remain clear of clouds until rising terrain forced a course reversal. Instrument conditions were soon encountered; requiring the non-instrument rated pilot to climb through the clouds to clear conditions.