Accident Overview
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the pilot of a twin-engine aircraft encountered severe turbulence. Control was lost, and the aircraft entered a dive, crashing in an open field located in Mohrsville, north of Reading. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all six occupants were killed.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the pilot continued operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in adverse weather conditions and attempted operation beyond his or her experience and ability level. Turbulence associated with clouds and/or thunderstorm activity exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. This caused the horizontal stabilizer to buckle on both sides from positive air loads.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident, as stated by the investigation, was that the pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. Turbulence associated with clouds and/or thunderstorm activity exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft, causing the horizontal stabilizer to buckle on both sides from positive air loads.