Accident Overview
The accident involved a Piper PA-32-301 that disappeared from radar while descending from 4,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 2,000 feet MSL. At approximately 2318, residents near Brooksville reported to the sheriff that a small aircraft had crashed.
Flight History
At 2312, the pilot was cleared to descend to 2,000 feet MSL and acknowledged the clearance. At 2312 plus 41 seconds, the pilot was advised to change radio frequencies and again acknowledged. At 2313, the approach controller lost radar contact with the flight and attempted to make radio contact, but no further communications were received. At 2318, residents in the Brooksville area advised the sheriff that a small aircraft had crashed.
Weather Conditions
SIGMET Bravo 3 was in effect in the accident area at the time, warning of moderate to severe turbulence caused by strong low-level winds. Additionally, a potential for low-level windshear existed below 4,000 feet MSL. The transcript of radio communications reveals that no in-flight weather briefings were obtained by the pilot.
Aircraft Performance
The pilot's operating handbook for the PA-32-301 specifies a design maneuvering speed (VA) of 110 knots as the limitation for turbulent air penetration. According to the ATC radar ITAP readout, the aircraft's groundspeed prior to loss of radar contact was approximately 168 knots.