Narrative:

I observed that the weather was getting marginal for VFR near the md state line. Approx. 15 miles sse of cbe I tried to contact flight watch on 122.0 for a weather update. I was unable to make contact. I tried FSS on 122.2; was told to re-contact on a remote outlet that did not work. Tried to re-contact FSS on 122.2; but was unable to. Over the mountains west of winchester the ceiling suddenly lowered. I entered IMC and flew my course for approximately 2 minutes; hoping to be able to duck down below the ceiling. The map indicated that the highest obstacle in my quadrant was only 300 feet below however. I climbed and then called potomac TRACON to let them know that I was stuck in IMC. They gave me a squawk code and suggested mrb as a good airport for landing; with VFR conditions in effect. I entered mrb into my GPS and flew towards it. Approx. 5 miles from the airport I was able to get below the ceiling and landed without incident. This was a learning experience for me. If I am unable to contact flight watch or FSS in the future I will call the closest TRACON instead. I could have turned around immediately upon hitting IMC; and would do so if it happened again. My perception once I was in it was that the weather behind me was not better; however. I realize now that I should have climbed to avoid obstacles but also reversed course. I was surprised at how easy it was to maintain the aircraft in stable flight in IMC. I had heard that vertigo would take over and I would go into a dive within minutes of hitting IMC. This was not the case. I am glad that I had instruction in flying by instruments during my private pilot training.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Private pilot reports inadvertently entering IMC at 2500 feet. ATC is contacted and provides assistance resulting in a safe landing.

Narrative: I observed that the weather was getting marginal for VFR near the MD state line. Approx. 15 miles SSE of CBE I tried to contact Flight Watch on 122.0 for a weather update. I was unable to make contact. I tried FSS on 122.2; was told to re-contact on a remote outlet that did not work. Tried to re-contact FSS on 122.2; but was unable to. Over the mountains west of Winchester the ceiling suddenly lowered. I entered IMC and flew my course for approximately 2 minutes; hoping to be able to duck down below the ceiling. The map indicated that the highest obstacle in my quadrant was only 300 feet below however. I climbed and then called Potomac TRACON to let them know that I was stuck in IMC. They gave me a squawk code and suggested MRB as a good airport for landing; with VFR conditions in effect. I entered MRB into my GPS and flew towards it. Approx. 5 miles from the airport I was able to get below the ceiling and landed without incident. This was a learning experience for me. If I am unable to contact Flight Watch or FSS in the future I will call the closest TRACON instead. I could have turned around immediately upon hitting IMC; and would do so if it happened again. My perception once I was in it was that the weather behind me was not better; however. I realize now that I should have climbed to avoid obstacles but also reversed course. I was surprised at how easy it was to maintain the aircraft in stable flight in IMC. I had heard that vertigo would take over and I would go into a dive within minutes of hitting IMC. This was not the case. I am glad that I had instruction in flying by instruments during my private pilot training.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.