Departure and Weather Conditions
On the day of the accident, the pilot contacted clearance delivery at 1807:53 to obtain an IFR clearance. At 1814:04, the pilot advised the ground controller that the aircraft was ready to taxi. The ground controller responded at 1814:31, noting that level 5 weather activity was located south of the airport moving northeast, expected to cross the runway approximately three miles south, and that level 5 activity was about two and a half miles south of the airport at that time.
The pilot indicated readiness to take off from runway 18L and requested vectors to avoid the weather. At 1816:30, the local controller cleared the flight for takeoff from 18L and assigned a left turn to heading 090. The airplane departed, and no further radio contact was received.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft crashed into a swamp less than one nautical mile from the airport. A review of NEXRAD Level-II radar imagery for HSV at 0016Z showed base reflectivities of 50 decibels (dBZ) in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Advisory Information
According to FAA Advisory Circular AC-00-24b, "Thunderstorms," VIP Level 5 is described as "intense" with severe turbulence, lightning, hail likely, and organized surface wind gusts. The advisory notes that hazardous turbulence may extend as much as 20 miles from the echo edge. Additionally, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Chapter 7-1-29, "Thunderstorm Flying," states: "Don't land or take off in the face of an approaching thunderstorm. A sudden gust front of low-level turbulence could cause loss of control."