tmmoris,
I think what you are saying is that you as an IMC or IR holder plan every flight as an IFR flight, you always fly above the IFR MSA and if you can complete the flight in VMC and under VFR then that is great, if you have to fly IFR and in IMC, you have planned for and are prepared for that. That would not come into the category of VFR flight continued into IMC because you are effectively operating to the IFR rules at all times.
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IO540,
People hit terrain because they are too low in relation to the terrain. This may sound obvious but let me repeat it as it is quite important: people hit terrain because they are too low in relation to the terrain.
Many VFR into IMC flights hit terrain because the pilot looses control of the aircraft above the MSA and hits the ground while still in IMC or very quickly after exiting IMC (in 1 or more bits).
The increase in workload having pulled up into IMC can be very distracting and can reduce the average part time amateur instrument pilot's ability to keep the aircraft flying especially if they can't break out on top within 3000ft of entering IMC.
In many cases however, the pilot does not pull up, they accidentally enter IMC and then know that they are too low to descend so thay have to climb. This can often happen when the aircraft is in a slight climbing turn.......the worst way to go IMC unexpectidely and the best way to give oneself the leans!
Of course, the question that no one has asked yet is........going down that valley, can the aircraft out climb the terrain or will it hit the unmarked 299ft mast on the ridge?
Regards,
DFC