Accident Overview
An aircraft operating under visual flight rules (VFR) on a night cross-country flight experienced an in-flight breakup. The wreckage was subsequently scattered over an area approximately 1.4 miles in extent.
Structural Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing had failed in positive overload at a point roughly 3 feet outboard of the wing root. The cabin door and tail surfaces had also separated from the airframe. All fracture surfaces exhibited evidence of overload. No evidence of any pre-existing defect was found.
Flight and Pilot Information
The pilot was not instrument rated and was not in contact with any air traffic control facility during the flight. Radar data indicated that the aircraft made several altitude excursions over a period of about 30 minutes prior to the accident. Immediately before disappearing from radar, the flight track deviated to the left.
Timing and Weather
The accident occurred on a dark night at approximately 2147 EDT. Although the pilot's last rest period was not verified, he routinely slept from 2100 to 0400. At 2152, weather conditions at Tri-City Regional Airport, located about 5 miles southwest of the accident site, were reported as: sky condition 5000 feet scattered, 8500 feet broken, 30000 feet overcast; visibility 7 miles; wind from 130 degrees at 7 knots. The elevation of the weather station was 1519 feet. The aircraft was at an altitude of 8700 feet MSL when radar contact was lost.