PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 14; Flight Crew Total 515; Flight Crew Type 231
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
Pilot who was new to the area / airport failed to notice that an ODP (Obstacle Departure Procedure) was in place for the departure airport. Upon takeoff; he turned on course and climbed in accordance with IFR clearance to the first waypoint; ZZZ; entering IMC maybe 1 minute / 500 ft. AGL. Later realized that he had missed the ridgeline of the mountains by maybe 200-300 ft. during his climb. Pilot has done all his flying in a controlled airport under a Class B shelf where he's always under radar control and IFR clearance includes initial route of flight / altitude to ensure obstacle clearance. Suggestion to avoid situation in future. Departure airport prominently post the need to read and follow ODP in a place where any pilot can see it while they walk out onto the Ramp to their aircraft.
PA-28 pilot reported not following an Obstacle Departure Procedure on departure climb in IMC and nearly having a CFIT incident.