Incident Overview
On August 13, a non-instrument rated pilot contacted the Green Bay Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) twice—at 0117 EST and at 0614—for weather briefings. Both briefers reported that an Airmet for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions was in effect and that VFR flight was not recommended. Despite this, at 0835 the pilot filed a VFR flight plan. The weather briefer again stated that VFR flight was not recommended.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported hearing an airplane in the clouds with its engine 'screaming' and the 'throttle full open.' They stated that the wing separated from the airplane when the airplane came out of the clouds.
Wreckage Examination
The right wing, stabilator, and rudder were located within 0.5 miles of the main wreckage site. Inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies to the engine or airframe. All spar fracture surfaces were observed to be granular.
Pilot Background
The pilot had a total of about 248 flight hours, with 81 hours in the make and model. In the six months prior, the pilot had flown 2.5 hours. The pilot had logged no actual instrument flight time and a total of one hour of simulated instrument flight.
Weather Conditions
Cloud bases were approximately 1,300 feet above ground level (agl). A Pilot Report (PIREP) indicated that cloud tops near Kalamazoo, Michigan (AZO), located 16 nautical miles to the east, were at 7,000 feet mean sea level (msl) about 12 minutes prior to the accident. National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) data indicated the airplane's altitude was approximately 4,800 feet msl before it was lost from radar.