Accident Overview
An airplane broke up in flight while en route from Fort Worth-Hicks Airport to Midland Airpark. The pilot had obtained a standard weather briefing that forecast thunderstorms along the intended route.
Sequence of Events
The last communication with the pilot occurred when he reported being in a strong updraft but encountering no turbulence. Shortly thereafter, evidence indicated that the airplane broke up in flight. No further transmissions were received.
Weather Conditions
A sheriff's deputy reported that at the time of the accident, rain was falling so heavily that he had to park alongside the highway and wait for it to subside. The weather briefing had included thunderstorms along the route.
Investigation
The investigation is based on the physical evidence of the in-flight breakup and the pilot's last report. No probable cause has been determined.