Circumstances of the Flight
A student pilot and one passenger departed on a flight without obtaining a weather briefing, despite the existence of low ceilings and rain. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing the engine accelerate and observing the aircraft begin a climb before it broke up and impacted the ground.
Investigation Findings
The subsequent investigation revealed that the horizontal stabilizer failed negatively at a low altitude. This failure resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent collision with the terrain.
Pilot Background
The student pilot began flying in 1974.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the negative failure of the horizontal stabilizer at a low altitude, which led to a loss of control and collision with the terrain.