Accident Summary
During a recent investigation, it was determined that the pilot of an aircraft contacted the Jonesboro Flight Service Station (FSS) for a weather briefing. The briefer advised of moderate turbulence, icing, visibility of one to two miles, and thunderstorms with rain. The briefer explicitly stated that VFR flight was not recommended. The pilot responded that he would file a flight plan and proceed as close as possible, intending to shut down the operation if conditions became too severe.
Weather and Pilot Briefing
Witnesses in the vicinity of the accident site reported instrument meteorological conditions, severe rain, and thunderstorms. Several individuals reported hearing the sound of the airplane flying overhead at a low altitude, but no eyewitnesses to the actual accident were located.
Wreckage and Wing Examination
The outboard nine feet of the left wing was located approximately one-quarter mile from the main wreckage. Examination of the wing spar fragments and a section of the wing near the left wing fracture revealed features typical of overstress separations. Deformation associated with the fracture in the upper and lower spar caps was indicative of a bending overstress separation in the downward direction. No fatigue cracking or other types of progressive deterioration were noted. Examination of the rest of the wreckage revealed no other evidence of preimpact malfunction.