What happened
During a night-time cross-country flight under instrument flight rules, the pilot of a multi-engine airplane was cruising at approximately 10,000 feet MSL. During the flight, the pilot notified air traffic control of seeing lightning near the left wing of the aircraft. Although the controller noted that nearby weather was estimated to be 35 to 40 miles away, the pilot confirmed that onboard radar was being used to navigate around the weather.
Shortly after this communication, radar tracking indicated the aircraft was at 10,400 feet MSL. Within one minute, the aircraft was observed performing a descending right turn at 9,400 feet MSL, after which all radar contact was lost. The wreckage was recovered from a debris field spanning a radius of approximately one-quarter mile, a pattern consistent with an in-flight breakup. Significant components, including the left horizontal stabilizer and portions of both elevators and trim tabs, were missing from the wreckage.
Findings
An investigation of the available aircraft components, including the engines, turbochargers, and propellers, showed no evidence of mechanical failure or structural anomalies prior to the impact. The propellers showed evidence of rotation at the time of impact. Furthermore, toxicology and autopsy results indicated that the pilot was not impaired or incapacitated.
While weather data showed no thunderstorms or convective activity near the flight path at the time of the accident, the aircraft likely entered a rapid descent that exceeded its structural design limits. However, the specific trigger that caused the initial descent and subsequent loss of control remains undetermined.