Accident Overview
A flight departed from its base and flew to Luverne, Alabama, where the pilot twice phoned the Anniston Automated Flight Service Station for weather briefings. During the first call, the pilot stated he was airport hopping. The second briefing informed him of widely scattered thunderstorms embedded in rain along his route, with forecasts after 2400Z for ceilings improving to 3,500 feet but occasional IFR conditions with thunderstorms and rain showers lasting another 1.5 hours.
Flight Progression
No known witnesses observed the departure. At approximately 1752, the pilot established contact with Jacksonville ARTCC (JAX ARTCC). He reported being between layers and hearing another pilot who had executed a missed approach at the destination airport, encountering heavy rain. The flight continued, and air traffic communications were transferred to Panama City Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT).
Radar and Communication
The pilot contacted Panama City ATCT and stated he was 6 miles northwest of the airport. Radar data indicated that while over water on a reported dark night, the controller advised the pilot that weather conditions were below VFR minimums and asked his intentions. In response, the pilot descended an additional 400 feet and began a slight left turn. He then stated he would proceed northbound. The airplane was last detected on radar at 1813:07.
Wreckage and Examination
Wreckage was located approximately 062 degrees and 0.4 nautical miles from the last radar target, in water, and was recovered for examination. No evidence of an in-flight breakup was found. Examination of the flight controls, engine, engine systems, vacuum pump, and several gyroscopic instruments revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination was made regarding the pilot's instrument currency.