Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a Piper PA-32R-301 airplane experienced an in-flight breakup while maneuvering near a thunderstorm in Byhalia, Mississippi.
Flight Data
Analysis of radar data indicated that between 15:42:02 and 15:53:01, the airplane executed approximately seven changes in altitude, airspeed, and heading. The most pronounced maneuver occurred during an 18-second interval from 15:52:43 to 15:53:01, during which the airplane descended from 7,700 feet above ground level (AGL) to 3,900 feet AGL and decelerated to 41 knots airspeed.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported observing the airplane in level flight beneath the cloud layer. As they watched, the left wing separated from the aircraft and struck the tail section. The main fuselage came to rest less than half a mile from their position in a bean field, with debris falling and nearly striking the witnesses. The witnesses noted that there was lightning to the north, and while the weather at their location was windy, there was no rain or thunderstorms in their immediate area at the time of the accident.
Toxicology
A toxicological examination of the pilot and passenger detected Benzoylecgonine and Cocaine in their liver and kidney tissues.