ATL84FA111

Factual narrative

PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE WAS TOLD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT BUT THE FSS BRIEFER STATED 'IF YOU GO NOW, IT'LL BE FINE.' THE PLT DEPARTED ON THE VFR FLT TO HICKORY, NC, AND DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. RADAR INFO OBTAINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT N8427A WAS CRUISING AT 11,500 FT WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN A SERIES OF OSCILLATIONS THAT LED TO THE ACFT DESCENDING AT A RATE OF 15,000 FPM. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT DESCEND OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF A LOW CLOUD CEILING WITH THE WINGS AND EMPENNAGE SEPARATING JUST PRIOR TO THE GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12