On September 3, 2000, a Piper PA-32R-301 was headed southwest near South Kingstown, R.I., level at 8000 feet in IMC. The pilot was instructed to change frequencies; after he checked in with the next sector, no further transmissions were heard. After a series of altitude excursions; the airplane then made a descending right turn with rates of descent up to approximately 16,000 fpm. The wreckage path was 1900 feet in length, clearly demonstrating an inflight break-up from overstressing the aircraft.
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