What happened
The pilot was operating a turbocharged airplane at 18,000 feet, flying parallel to a line of thunderstorms. Based on radar and weather data, the pilot executed a turn to pass through a section of the storm cells where satellite infrared data had indicated a hole in the weather. During this flight, the aircraft experienced a structural failure; the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and all components of the stabilizer were found approximately 4,000 feet west of the fuselage and right wing.
The investigation
The investigation included an analysis of meteorological studies, which revealed that the storm cells near the accident site were developing very rapidly and were characterized by extreme turbulence. Additionally, the aircraft was equipped with oxygen and a storm scope. However, investigators found no documentation indicating that the pilot had received training in high-altitude flight, the operation of a turbocharged engine, or the use of the onboard weather detection system.