Accident Sequence
A witness observed the airplane enter a 3 to 4 turn (360-degree) spin to the right with the engine pointing downward before it impacted the water. A fire erupted upon impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot received a 2.1-hour checkout that included stalls. He intended to fly the airplane solo before beginning his commercial pilot training and rented the airplane for a local flight. The pilot's logbook contained numerous entries for stalls but no entries for spin training, although spin training is not required by Federal Aviation Regulations. In the 90 days prior to the accident, the pilot logged 6.4 hours of simulated instrument flight and 0.8 hour in actual instrument conditions.
Weather Conditions
Radar summary charts indicated precipitation intensity levels throughout the area with cloud tops to 30,600 feet. Weather stations reported wind gusts up to 25 knots. Cumulus and towering cumulus clouds with multiple cloud layers associated with a front prevailed throughout the area. A convective SIGMET and AIRMETs were in effect for thunderstorm activity, IFR ceilings, and visibility. VFR flight was not recommended away from the local airport.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of an in-flight fire or any pre-impact discrepancies.