Departure and Weather Discussion
The airplane's owner and his wife deplaned at their vacation destination, after which the pilot departed on the return trip to the airplane's home base. Prior to departure, the pilot and the owner had a lengthy discussion about an approaching storm from the west. The pilot concurred with the owner on a route of flight that would take the airplane east, then north to avoid the storm, before eventually heading west towards its ultimate destination.
Actual Flight Path
Radar data depicted a northerly track for the airplane after departure, rather than the agreed easterly path. The airplane subsequently turned onto a northwesterly track directly towards its destination, which did not correspond to the storm-avoidance route discussed.
Weather Conditions and Warnings
An air traffic controller advised the pilot of "significant" weather along his route of flight. The pilot acknowledged the radio call and confirmed that he was "weather radar equipped." At the time of the accident, a Significant Meteorology Information (SIGMET) was issued for severe embedded thunderstorms in the area that included the route of flight. Examination of weather radar data revealed "intense" and "extreme" weather in the area of the accident site at the time of the accident.