Accident Overview
The pilot of a twin-engine airplane, who had accumulated 4,550 flight hours, received two weather briefings before departing on a 152-nautical mile flight under an IFR flight plan. The briefings included Convective SIGMETs, AIRMETS, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch along the intended route.
Events Prior to the Accident
Approximately 19 minutes before the accident, a Boeing 737 executed a missed approach after encountering severe turbulence and wind shear during an approach to an airport located 12 miles northwest of the accident airplane's destination. Air traffic control informed the pilot of this encounter.
Final Approach
As the flight neared its destination, the pilot was cleared for a localizer approach to runway 03. Radar data showed the airplane about one mile north of the final approach course. The pilot reported that he was not going to be able to continue the approach. When questioned by the tower about his intentions, the pilot replied, 'I am going to stay right here until I get out of some of this.'
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage of the airplane was located a mile north of the final approach course, approximately 6 miles southwest of the landing threshold for runway 03. Physical evidence and ground signatures at the initial point of impact indicated that the airplane, with landing gear and flaps in the retracted position, impacted the ground on a measured magnetic heading of 342 degrees at a high speed in a nose-low attitude while in a slight left turn.
Weather Conditions
Examination of weather data revealed that the last radar return from the airplane occurred in the vicinity of a frontal boundary, where strong wind shear and severe turbulence were present.