Flight and Weather Advisories
The pilot received a radio advisory about a severe thunderstorm and a tornado watch along the route of the cross-country flight. At 1613 central daylight time, the pilot was told that a line of radar returns was located about 10 miles ahead. The pilot replied that there appeared to be a soft spot through that area, just to the north of the aircraft's position, and decided to continue.
Declaration of Emergency
At approximately 1621 CDT, the pilot declared an emergency. The pilot reported that the engine had stopped and that an aileron had detached. The aircraft had descended from 10,500 feet to 5,000 feet. About 25 seconds later, the pilot noted that the airplane was becoming hard to control, that altitude was 2,500 feet and decreasing, and that the right wing was gone.
Post-Impact Examination
After the accident, an examination of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft had struck the ground while in a flat spin. Several parts were missing and not located: the empennage, the right aileron, and a section of the outer wing panel forward of the main spar.