On Jul-22-84 at Zolfo Springs, Fl a Beech a36 aircraft crashes and kills 5. During the  pre-flight wx briefing, the non-instrument rated pilot as advised of numerous thunderstorms along his proposed route of flt & that VFR flight was not recommended. While en route, he contacted Miami Center, requested flight following & was instructed to maintain VFR.

In the vicinity of numerous level 3 & 4 precipitation areas, the pilot inquired about the wx ahead & was provided vectors to the clearest area. However, radio & radar contact were lost & the aircraft crashed. A witness near the crash site saw the aircraft falling without wings just prior to impact. He noted that there was a dark cloud behind the aircraft, light rain was falling & the surface wind was from the east & was gusting. The wings, cabin door & elevator counterweights were found about 1/2 mi west of the fuselage.

The wings had failed upward, the vertical stabilizer had separated at the top of the tailcone & the entire tailcone had broken  from the fuselage. No preexisting cracks or fatigue was found. The pilot's last medical certificate was dated 4/6/81. Probable cause VFR flight into IMC pilot in command airplane handling not maintained. pilot in command spatial disorientation. pilot in command design stress limits of aircraft. exceeded. .pilot in command contributing factors flight into known adverse weather initiated pilot in command over confidence in personal ability. pilot in command weather condition. clouds weather condition thunderstorm weather condition. rain lack of total instrument time. pilot in command