Flight Details
A pilot departed on an instrument flight rules cross-country flight with three passengers. While cruising at about 6,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the pilot discussed routing and weather avoidance with an air traffic controller.
Weather Avoidance Communication
The controller advised the pilot of a gap in the weather showing light precipitation and suggested a heading to pass through it. The pilot initially acknowledged but soon reported the airplane was pointed directly at a convective cell. The controller explained the heading would keep the aircraft out of heavy precipitation and then turn through light precipitation. The pilot expressed that the area was closing in fast. The controller acknowledged and offered rerouting if the pilot did not accept the suggested routing. The pilot chose to turn toward a gap he saw and felt he could fly straight through. The controller advised that course would lead through moderate precipitation starting in about one mile and extending for about four miles. The pilot acknowledged.
Inflight Event
Radar data indicated the airplane entered an area of heavy to very heavy precipitation, likely a rain shower updraft, while in instrument meteorological conditions. The aircraft then entered a right, descending spiral and broke up in flight.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preaccident malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal operation.
Weather Data Limitations
The airplane was equipped to display weather radar "mosaic" imagery from Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) data. It is likely the pilot was using this information to navigate around precipitation. Due to latencies in the detection and delivery of NEXRAD data, as well as the frequency of the mosaic-creation process, the data can age significantly by the time the image is created.
Probable Cause
The pilot's encounter with a rain shower updraft and severe turbulence resulted in a loss of airplane control and an inflight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reliance on outdated weather information on his in-cockpit weather display.