What happened
On June 6, 2008, a Maggs Lancair 4P, registration N241DM, was operating an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight from Denison Municipal Airport in Iowa to Bowman Field Airport in Kentucky. During the flight, the pilot encountered severe weather conditions characterized by thunderstorms and tornado watches in the region.
At approximately 1514 central daylight time, the aircraft was flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Radar data and communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC) indicated that the aircraft was traveling through areas of moderate and heavy precipitation. The pilot requested a course deviation to the right to avoid weather displayed on his stormscope, but ATC warned that this maneuver would place the aircraft close to heavy precipitation.
As the flight progressed, the pilot reported encountering updrafts and downdrafts of up to 1,000 feet and noted the beginning of airframe icing. ATC informed the pilot that he was entering an area of extreme precipitation. At 2011:12, the pilot stated, "I'll turn around," after which all radio communications and radar contact were lost.
The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain near Alhambra, Illinois, resulting in 1 fatality.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the engine and fuselage resting in a rural yard, approximately 5 miles northeast of Alhambra. The fuselage was crushed and fractured from the nose to just forward of the tail surfaces. A debris trail extending 4 miles to the northeast was identified. The right wing and rudder were located approximately 4,100 feet northeast of the main fuselage, and only a portion of the left wing spar remained attached to the airframe. The extent of the damage indicated that the aircraft experienced an in-flight structural failure prior to impacting the ground. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were identified in the control system.