Preflight and Departure
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes before departure, the pilot received a preflight weather briefing. The briefing contained advisories about lowering ceilings and thunderstorms along the proposed flight route. The pilot subsequently took off under visual flight rules (VFR). No flight plan was filed for the flight.
In-Flight Communications and Advisories
During the climb to a cruise altitude of 11,500 feet, the pilot was receiving traffic advisories from an ARTC controller. The controller informed the pilot that a Boeing 737 at 12,000 feet, ahead of the PA-28's position, was experiencing moderate hail and moderate turbulence. All three parties—the controller, the PA-28, and the Boeing 737—were operating on the same radio frequency.
Termination of Advisory Service
When the Piper PA-28 reached the limits of the controller's airspace sector, the controller terminated the advisory service. This termination occurred approximately six minutes before the accident.
Accident Sequence
Approximately six minutes after the advisory service ended, a ground witness observed the Piper PA-28. The witness saw the aircraft spinning out of the overcast cloud layer. Notably, the aircraft had only one wing attached. The aircraft then struck a mountain ridge.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident did not determine a probable cause. Further details regarding the aircraft's condition or the pilot's actions were not specified in the source.