Accident Overview
Before departure, the pilot obtained an updated weather briefing that included thunderstorm activity along the route. About 2 hours 30 minutes after takeoff, while deviating around thunderstorms, the airplane disappeared from radar. A witness near the accident heard the engine revving up and down, a muffled pop, then silence, before seeing debris falling above the tree line.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot held a multiengine rating since May 13, 2006. As of June 18, 2006, he had about 1,720 total flight hours, with 32.6 hours in multiengine airplanes, of which 26.8 were in the accident airplane. He had logged about 140 hours of actual and 68 hours of simulated instrument flight experience, but only 0.4 hours of simulated instrument experience in multiengine airplanes (during his check ride).
Weather and Radar Data
Weather radar images indicated the airplane entered an area of moderate to heavy intensity echoes consistent with a convective cell or thunderstorm. At the time of the accident, no Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, or Center Weather Advisories for thunderstorms were current for the area. The pilot advised ATC he was receiving weather information via a portable GPS receiver with a weather subscription service.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplane revealed an in-flight breakup, but no evidence of a mechanical malfunction was identified.