What happened
The pilot departed on a flight at 1125 Eastern Standard Time after receiving an initial weather briefing. As the aircraft was en route, forecast conditions for the destination deteriorated, prompting the issuance of a SIGMET (1E). At 1444, the pilot contacted the Fort Wayne Flight Service Station to extend his VFR flight plan by one hour. However, he did not request or receive updated weather information that included flight precautions regarding icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms.
At approximately 1500, just before impact, the aircraft was observed emerging from a snowstorm in an uncontrolled descent. The wreckage was scattered over an area approximately one and a half miles long.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and rudder had separated from the airframe due to overload failure. Evidence indicated that the left wing had failed upward and struck the empennage during separation. No pre-accident failure or malfunction was found.
Findings
Available weather information indicated that cloud bases at the accident site were 2000 feet MSL (approximately 1100 feet AGL) with tops at 10,000 feet MSL. Visibility was zero inside clouds and greater than three miles below clouds in snow showers. The freezing level was near 3000 feet, with moderate to severe turbulence below 4000 feet and moderate to severe icing inside clouds and in precipitation above the freezing level.