Weather Briefing and Departure
At 1725 CDT, a pilot received a weather briefing from a flight service briefer. The briefer informed the pilot that the Kansas City area forecast called for 1,600 ft broken clouds, occasional 800 ft broken clouds, 3/4 mile visibility with thunderstorms and moderate rain, and strong surface winds of about 35 knots. The forecast was valid until 2200 CDT. The pilot indicated he did not need any en route forecasts. The briefer also stated that radar was showing an area of thunderstorms and rain showers extending from 70 miles northwest of Kansas City down to 60 miles north of Kansas City, and from there up to Fort Dodge. The area of thunderstorms was moving northeast at 30 knots.
Departure and Witness Accounts
The pilot departed Olathe, Kansas, at 2000 CDT. A witness heard the sounds of an aircraft engine decreasing, increasing, and then silence. Another witness, who heard the aircraft pass by just before impact, stated that the weather at the time was moderate rain, approximately 1 mile visibility, and intermittent lightning and thunder.
Wreckage and Debris
Portions of each wing and the horizontal tail section were located approximately 3/8 mile south of the main wreckage.