Accident Overview
After being cleared for a climb to cruise altitude and advised to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), the pilot initiated a climb on course. At 7,100 feet mean sea level (MSL), the pilot lost control of the airplane. The aircraft entered a right descending spiral. During the uncontrolled descent, shortly before ground impact, the outer half of the right wing separated due to overstress.
Pilot and Operator Information
The pilot was not instrument rated. The pilot's total flight experience included 5 hours of actual instrument time and 14 hours of simulated instrument (hood) time. The last hood time was logged 2.5 years prior to the accident. The operator did not have an instrument or inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) training program.
Weather Conditions
A post-accident weather study indicated that the pilot would have been in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) from approximately 3,000 feet through 7,500 feet MSL. The pilot had been advised to maintain VFR, but the conditions encountered were IMC.
Accident Sequence
The pilot received clearance for a climb to cruise and was reminded to maintain VFR. After beginning the climb on the assigned course, the airplane reached 7,100 feet MSL when control was lost. The aircraft then entered a right descending spiral. The descent continued uncontrolled until just before impact, when the outer portion of the right wing failed in overstress.
Aircraft Damage
The accident resulted in the separation of the outer half of the right wing due to overstress. The aircraft continued its descent and impacted terrain. (Note: No further damage details were provided in the source.)