Departure and Weather Briefing
The pilot received a weather briefing indicating rain showers, scattered thunderstorms along the route, and forecast occasional moderate turbulence below 8,000 ft. The aircraft departed Norfolk at 1500.
In-Flight Report and Loss of Contact
At approximately 1630, the pilot reported to Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), "We're in some heavy turbulence now." This was the last radio transmission. Radar contact was subsequently lost in an area where moderate to heavy rain showers existed.
Aircraft Behavior and Damage
Witnesses observed the aircraft spinning and tumbling before impact. The outer panels of both wings had separated.
Occupant Information
The pilot-in-command was seated in the right front seat. The occupant in the left front seat held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating and was not instrument rated. This individual had received initial flight instruction from the pilot-in-command. The last entry in the left-seat occupant's logbook was dated May 2, 1981.