Accident Overview
The pilot of N56960 initiated contact with Memphis Approach Control, requesting permission to transit the Memphis Class B airspace. A controller reported radar identification of the aircraft at 7,500 feet and instructed the pilot to change frequencies, but no reply was received. The main wreckage was located in a rural farm area, with debris spread over a length of 0.83 nautical miles from north-northwest to south-southeast. The debris field began with the right aileron and ended with the fuselage and main wreckage.
Witness Observations
Two witnesses reported observing the airplane flying from south to north above them. They noted that the engine was making a "funny" noise, and soon after, the airplane spiraled downward with parts separating from it. No further details about the descent or impact were provided by the witnesses.
Weather Conditions
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a weather study for the time of the accident. Cloud bases were near 3,000 feet, with cloud tops above 7,500 feet, and multiple cloud layers were present. Visibility was reported as 0 miles in clouds and greater than 3 miles below the lowest cloud layer. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records did not indicate that the pilot possessed an instrument rating.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the engine and its accessories revealed no evidence of any pre-crash anomalies. The NTSB Materials Laboratory performed detailed examinations of fracture surfaces on the left and right wings' forward and aft spars, as well as sections of the empennage. All fracture surfaces were consistent with overstress failure.