Flight Preparation
The pilot, who was not instrument-rated, obtained two separate weather briefings before the flight—one in the late afternoon and another the following morning. The flight was planned from Glendive, Montana, to McCall, Idaho. During the briefings, the pilot was advised that VFR flight was not recommended due to a low pressure system in Montana and associated obscurations.
Flight and In-Flight Event
The aircraft departed from Glendive. Approximately four hours into the flight, the pilot radioed the Great Falls Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) seeking information on a VFR airport available for landing.
Witness Observations
Witnesses observed the aircraft emerging from clouds, whose bases were approximately 6,000 feet MSL (800 feet AGL), and then breaking up. Both wings separated from the aircraft. Weather at the accident site was described as low clouds and overcast with poor visibility.
Structural Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed that both wing struts had separated at the strut-to-fuselage attach points. The right wing was found in two separate pieces, while the left wing remained intact. Both wings had impacted the terrain short of the fuselage ground impact site. The wing spar carry-through channel was found to have separated just inboard of the right wing-root to fuselage attach point. The fracture surfaces on all separated components were characteristic of instantaneous overload separations.
Control Surfaces
All horizontal and vertical control surfaces remained attached to the fuselage, with the exception of the right elevator, which was found detached.
Weather Conditions
No further details are available from the source beyond the witness description of low clouds and overcast conditions with poor visibility.