What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot contacted an FAA Automated Flight Service Station twice, providing an instrument flight rules flight plan and receiving weather briefings including convective SIGMET and AIRMET information. During the flight, the pilot contacted the Greenwood Automated Flight Service Station to report being in the Meridian MOA and expressed concern regarding an eastbound line of storms. The briefing specialist advised the pilot of a severe thunderstorm watch and suggested landing at Meridian. The pilot agreed to change course to land at Meridian.
After re-establishing contact with Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center, the pilot was informed that heavy weather existed between his position and Meridian, but better conditions were available near Greenwood, Mississippi. The pilot stated he would proceed to the destination airport on a heading of 187 degrees. At 1121, the pilot requested a descent to 6,000 feet, at which point communications were transferred to Jackson Air Traffic Control Tower. After establishing contact with the tower and receiving an altimeter setting, radar and radio contact were lost at 1124.
NTSB radar data showed the aircraft traveling southwesterly before turning west near Starkville, Mississippi, and later turning left near Kilmichael, Mississippi. At 1121:51, while flying at 8,000 feet, the aircraft began a right turn to heading 220 degrees and a descent of 440 feet per minute. At 1123:03, the aircraft entered a rapid right descending turn at a rate exceeding 6,000 feet per minute. The last radar target was recorded at 1124:03 at 1,500 feet. The wreckage was located the following day in a heavily wooded area.
The investigation
Weather reports indicated that while better conditions existed in Greenwood, the aircraft entered an area of high reflectivity (approximately 45 dBZ), indicating a very strong thunderstorm cell. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left wing and both sides of the horizontal stabilator had separated from the aircraft; however, no preexisting cracks were found on the fracture surfaces. The engine and flight controls showed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No in-flight or post-crash fire was observed.
The pilot's logbooks showed 24 hours of simulated instrument instruction and only 1.0 hour of logged actual instrument conditions, which lacked a certified instructor's signature. Toxicological analysis of the pilot revealed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the blood and bile, as well as doxylamine. Drug paraphernalia and a green leaf-type substance consistent with marijuana were recovered from the wreckage.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered a very strong thunderstorm cell.
- The pilot was not instrument rated.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in the pilot's system.