Weather Briefing
About 30 minutes before the accident, the pilot received an in-flight weather briefing from En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS). During the briefing, the pilot indicated that he had received an AIRMET regarding icing conditions along his route. The EFAS specialist then briefed the pilot on thundershowers, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and pilot reports of moderate turbulence and light mixed icing.
In-Flight Icing Report
The pilot continued on his flight route. Approximately 25 minutes after the weather briefing, he reported airframe icing conditions to air traffic control (ATC). ATC advised the pilot of more severe weather ahead and recommended that he reverse course.
Lightning Strike and Loss of Contact
Less than one minute after the ATC recommendation, the pilot reported being struck by lightning. ATC amended the pilot's clearance, instructing him to reverse course with a left turn to a heading of 330 degrees. The pilot read back the clearance. Subsequently, both radar and radio contact were lost.
Radar Data
Radar data revealed that the airplane entered a left turn and climbed 200 feet. It then descended about 1,200 feet in 35 seconds.
Aircraft Equipment
The accident airplane was not equipped with de-icing systems.