Introduction
According to air traffic, the pilot, operating under visual flight rules (VFR), received a preflight weather briefing. Thunderstorm activity was forecasted along the intended route of flight.
Sequence of Events
While en route, the pilot entered an area of thunderstorm activity and requested air traffic control assistance. The air traffic controller attempted to provide radar vectors but never received a response from the pilot. The pilot's last transmission was, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, WE'RE GOING DOWN." Seconds later, radio and radar contact were lost. An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received by another aircraft in the vicinity of the last radar hit.
Wreckage Examination
The aircraft wreckage was scattered over a wooded area measuring 2,500 feet long and 300 feet wide. Examination of the wreckage path revealed that the left and right wing assemblies were located 600 feet apart north of the main wreckage. Examination of the main wing spar fracture revealed that the overload failure occurred in an upward direction. Flight components from the empennage were located south of the main wreckage. Examination of the left ruddervator assembly disclosed that it separated from the airframe in an upward direction.