What happened
The aircraft was initially in a stable cruise at 7,200 feet, positioned above the cloud tops while receiving visual flight rules (VFR) flight following. During this phase, the pilot reported observing "holes in the cloud layer" and subsequently began a descent.
Radar data indicated that the airplane maintained a stable descent for five minutes. However, during the final seven minutes of the flight, the aircraft performed multiple "S" patterns, with its altitude fluctuating between 3,400 feet and 2,600 feet. Witnesses on the ground observed the airplane flying in and out of cloud layers before it entered a spiraling descent and impacted the ground. There were 1 fatality.
Prior to the flight, the pilot had received a weather briefing that included forecasts for scattered clouds between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, occasionally scattered to broken clouds between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, a 30% chance of thunderstorms and rain showers, and potential pockets of instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. Near the time of the accident, the nearest weather station, located 15 miles northwest of the site, reported broken cloud layers at 2,000 feet, 2,800 feet, and 3,500 feet with 10 miles of visibility.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and the airplane was conducted. Investigators found no anomalies in the aircraft or engine that would have prevented normal operation.