What happened
Following a visit to a vacation destination, the owner of the aircraft and his wife deplaned, leaving the pilot to conduct the return flight to the aircraft's home base. Prior to departure, the pilot and the owner discussed an approaching storm system moving in from the west. To avoid this weather, they agreed upon a flight plan that would initially direct the aircraft east and then north before eventually turning west toward the final destination.
However, radar data indicated that after takeoff, the aircraft followed a northerly track before turning onto a northwesterly course directly toward its destination. During the flight, an air traffic controller notified the pilot of significant weather along the intended route. The pilot acknowledged this communication and stated that the aircraft was equipped with weather radar.
The investigation
An examination of weather radar data from the time of the accident revealed the presence of intense and extreme weather at the site of the accident. At the time of the event, a Significant Meteorology Information (SIGMET) had been issued for the area, warning of severe embedded thunderstorms covering the intended route of flight.