Incident Overview
The pilot of the airplane was en route at 11,500 feet, receiving traffic advisories from air traffic control. The controller alerted the pilot to heavy precipitation ahead. The pilot began a descent approximately 14 miles from his destination.
Sequence of Events
Air traffic control advised the pilot to maintain visual meteorological conditions (VMC), a directive the pilot acknowledged. Subsequently, the pilot reported encountering rain and turbulence, and indicated he was no longer in VMC. Not long after this communication, air traffic control lost contact with the airplane. Witnesses on the ground reported a severe thunderstorm and observed the airplane descending and then crashing.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the airplane experienced an inflight breakup. The wreckage was strewn over a distance of about two miles. A thorough examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction.