Weather Advisories
Before departure, the pilot obtained numerous weather briefings and updates. These included two pilot reports of windshear encountered by aircraft on approach into Appleton. Shortly after takeoff, the radar controller transmitted Convective SIGMET 1E on the same frequency used to communicate with N87163. The SIGMET indicated embedded thunderstorms.
Accident Sequence
About 10 minutes later, while being vectored for the approach into Appleton, the pilot received heading deviations because of weather. The aircraft subsequently crashed 1/2 mile from the approach end of the runway. A witness living between the outer marker and middle marker for the ILS approach reported a "huge downpour" with "very strong winds" at the time of the accident.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that all power controls for both engines were in the full forward position. Additionally, the left and right main landing gear mounting trunnions were displaced upward into the wing fuel tanks.