Preflight and Weather
A preflight weather briefing was not obtained before departure. Thunderstorms with heavy rain showers were forecast for the area. During the flight, an individual on board requested weather advisories from a UNICOM operator, who advised the crew of a thunderstorm near the airport. Despite this advisory, the flight proceeded toward the thunderstorm, as reported by witnesses. However, there were no witnesses to the accident itself.
Accident Sequence
No further details are available regarding the flight path or the moments leading up to the accident. The aircraft was subsequently recovered minus its right wing.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the left wing had separated near the wing root and approximately 20 inches outboard of the outboard fuel sensor due to overload. The right wing failed near the wing root, also due to overload. The flight controls showed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction. The engine assembly (excluding magnetos and fuel pump housing) likewise revealed no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction.
Crew and Occupants
No occupant held an instrument rating. No determination could be made as to which occupant was flying the airplane at the time of the accident.