What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft while towing a banner when he flew directly into a thunderstorm. During this phase of the flight, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions characterized by strong turbulence, heavy downdrafts, and significant precipitation. These atmospheric disturbances made it impossible to maintain controlled flight.
As the situation deteriorated, the pilot realized that the aircraft was losing altitude rapidly and would not remain airborne despite applying full power. In an attempt to lighten the load and improve performance, he released the banner he was towing. However, these actions were insufficient to prevent the aircraft from descending into the water. The aircraft remained afloat for approximately ten minutes before sinking completely.