Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 560; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Weather; Human Factors
Flight planned over 2 days; filled out IFR plan night before in ForeFlight but left out alternate pending review of AM weather. Filed IFR plan after reviewing standard briefing; including METAR + TAF for ZZZ; but neglected to reconsider and add appropriate alternate - first mistake. TAF indicated P6SM BKN035 with prior P6SM SCT012 BKN030.  Departed; with ZZZ METAR 4SM BKN 004. Second mistake - did I really expect the forecasted weather an hour later? Departure; climb and cruise phases were without incident. I picked up the ZZZ ATIS at ZZZ VOR and indicated the same; minimal wind; landing [Runway] XXR. I briefed the approach and missed approach in detail; in part for benefit of private/non-IFR copilot; and loaded it.  Third mistake - the ceiling was below my personal minimums and I should have considered diverting; perhaps worse; I did not consider where to divert.  Flight continued without problems but I was not able to engage the autopilot APP mode and from IAF; ZZZZZ; I had some difficulty staying on the localizer. At approximately 1.4 out from the runway; though now on the localizer; I was high; noted by Tower as well; and I felt that I did not have a stabilized approach and elected to go missed. Notably; from about ZZZ VOR to ZZZ we were in IMC. On the missed; I was concentrating on flying the airplane; maintaining coordinated flight and climbed above the 1500 ft ceiling by about 200-300ft. Tower inquired about intentions and I did not respond for about 60 sec; again; flying the airplane but also; frankly; trying my best to analyze my options. Tower; thankfully; gave me ZZZ1 ATIS and diverted there. Corrective action: one; always file and plan for an alternate; two; to secure as needed CFI time to improve approaches and missed app procedures.
C182 pilot reported a missed approach and use of an unplanned alternate airport due to weather conditions.