Introduction
A Piper Malibu Mirage aircraft was involved in an accident while in cruise flight at 24,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot contacted Memphis Center to report encountering icing conditions and experiencing a fuel imbalance. The pilot requested and received clearance to deviate to the north.
Flight Sequence
Shortly after the deviation, radio and radar contact with the aircraft were lost. A witness reported hearing the sound of the airplane's engine stop running. The witness then observed the airplane descending from dark clouds in a nose-down attitude while rotating clockwise.
Witness Accounts
Residents in the area described the weather at the time of the accident as having high ceilings with heavy rain both before and after the event. Thunderstorms with lightning were present in the area during the accident.
Aircraft Examination
The wreckage was scattered over a distance of approximately four miles. The aircraft was equipped with an autopilot, weather radar, and an ice protection system. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had recently purchased the 1999 model airplane and had completed a Mirage initial training course. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated a total of 21.4 hours of flight experience in the make and model of the accident aircraft.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be the pilot's encounter with adverse weather and loss of aircraft control, which resulted in exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of airplane, and the icing and thunderstorm weather conditions.