Accident Details
A non-instrument rated pilot was conducting a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Manteo, North Carolina, to Winchester, Virginia. The pilot started the flight earlier than originally planned after learning that weather was forecast to deteriorate. When the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, a search was initiated. The wreckage was found on May 17, 1991, in a remote area near Shady Grove Corner, Virginia.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the right wing separated from the aircraft in flight. The wing was found approximately 700 feet east of where the aircraft impacted the ground. The main wreckage was located west of the impact point. Metallurgical examination showed that the wing separated due to overload.
Weather and Radar Data
Radio communication information indicated that the pilot had encountered rain. Radar data showed that before the accident, the aircraft was heading northeast at 2,100 feet mean sea level (MSL). It then climbed to 2,400 feet, turned north, descended to 2,000 feet and turned west, then descended to 1,500 feet before radar contact was lost. Radar contact ended less than one mile from the crash site. Approximately 29 miles east-northeast at Quantico, at 0255 Eastern Daylight Time, weather was reported as: 1,300 feet broken ceiling, visibility 3 miles in rain and fog, wind from 230 degrees at 12 knots.
Examination of Instruments
Examination of the aircraft's instruments indicated no rotational damage to the directional gyro or turn coordinator gyro. There was only slight rubbing of the attitude gyro, and no scoring of the vacuum pump vanes. However, all instruments received heavy impact damage, and dirt was packed into the vacuum pump ports and cavity.