What happened
The flight departed from its base of operations and proceeded to Luverne, Alabama. While in Luverne, the pilot contacted the Anniston, Alabama, Automated Flight Service Station twice for abbreviated weather briefings. During the first call, the pilot noted he was "airport hopping." The second briefing informed the pilot of widely scattered thunderstorms embedded in rain along the flight path, with forecasts indicating ceilings would improve to 3,500 feet after 2400Z, though IFR conditions with rain and thunderstorms were expected for an additional 1.5 hours.
At approximately 1752, the pilot established communication with Jacksonville ARTCC. During this contact, the pilot reported being between weather layers and noted hearing another pilot report encountering heavy rain following a missed approach at the destination airport. As the flight continued, communications were transferred to the Panama City Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). The pilot reported being 6 miles northwest of the airport.
Radar data shows that while flying over water on a dark night, the Panama City ATCT controller informed the pilot that weather conditions were below VFR minimums and inquired about his intentions. Following this advisory, radar indicated the pilot descended an additional 400 feet and began a slight left turn. The pilot stated he would proceed northbound, but the aircraft was lost from radar at 1813:07.
The wreckage was recovered from the water approximately 062 degrees and 0.4 nautical miles from the final radar target.
The investigation
Examination of the recovered wreckage showed no evidence of an in-flight breakup or any preimpact failure or malfunction of the flight controls. Investigators found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction within the engine or engine systems. Additionally, the vacuum pump and several gyroscopic instruments showed no signs of preimpact failure or malfunction.