Morrisey 2150 N5102V accident near Pismo Beach, California

Probable cause

The in-flight separation of a wing for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered from the ocean.

NTSB analysis

Radar data indicated that the airplane took off, performed a touch-and-go landing, and departed westbound toward the ocean. After crossing the shoreline, the airplane turned right about 90 degrees and flew northbound over the water. The airplane climbed to an altitude of about 4,300 feet and then descended to 3,700 feet. The last three radar hits were recorded over a period of 14 seconds and indicated that the airplane entered a steep descent at a rate that exceeded 10,000 feet per minute before it impacted the water. One witness reported that she saw a "streak" descending toward the water followed by a "big bang." Another witness reported observing the airplane falling toward the water with what "appeared to be a wing" trailing behind it. He estimated that the airplane and the separated wing fell for about 10 seconds before they hit the water. The airplane wreckage was not recovered.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14LA096 for the full record.