What happened
The aircraft departed from Fairfield, Iowa, with a destination of Indianapolis, Indiana. The flight was conducted under visual flight rules without a filed flight plan. At the time of the incident, the pilot was approximately 55 nautical miles south of the intended course.
Marginal VFR conditions were present in the area, including rain showers. Prior to departure or during the flight, personnel from an FAA Flight Service Station briefed the pilot on these weather conditions and recommended a more northerly route to avoid them. Despite this advice, the pilot continued southward.
The last known altitude reported by the non-instrument rated pilot was 12,500 feet. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft broke up in flight. The main wreckage, empennage, and outer wing sections landed within approximately a quarter of a mile of each other in Merom, Indiana.
Findings
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the loss of control and structural failure. Key factors included:
- The aircraft was operating in marginal VFR conditions with rain showers.
- The pilot was not instrument rated and had been advised to alter course northward but did not.
- The flight path deviated significantly from the planned route, placing the aircraft in adverse weather.
- The breakup occurred while the aircraft was approximately 55 nautical miles south of the intended course.