2006 Aero Star Flight from Cornelia to Pensacola (N68999)

Flight Details and Weather Briefing On May 10, 2006, a pilot departed Cornelia, Georgia, for Pensacola, Florida, under instrument flight rules. Before departure, the pilot received a weather briefing from an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). The flight service specialist warned of embedded thunderstorms along the route from Atlanta to Mobile, with forecast tops between 41,000 and 50,000 feet. The specialist advised against immediate departure but noted the possibility of landing at an intermediate stop, such as Pensacola or the Crestview area. The pilot filed an IFR flight plan to Pensacola at 16,000 feet and requested an IFR clearance. While the specialist worked on the clearance, the pilot departed without it and contacted Atlanta Center. The controller noted the aircraft was not on the assigned heading, altitude, or transponder code. The flight was later cleared direct to Panama City, Florida, with instructions to climb to 16,000 feet. During the flight, Atlanta Center broadcast weather alerts, including Center Weather Advisory 101, SIGMETs 73C and 74C, and AIRMET Sierra. The National Weather Service had issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 329 and Convective SIGMET 73C for a line of thunderstorms 40 nautical miles wide, moving from 280 degrees at 35 knots, with tops at 44,000 feet, 2-inch hail, and possible wind gusts up to 60 knots. These alerts covered the flight route. Controllers did not provide the pilot with severe radar-depicted weather information displayed on their radar. At 09:19:48 CDT, the aircraft was observed level at 16,000 feet heading southwest. At 09:20:38, it began a continuous left turn northwest at 15,700 feet. At 09:20:48, the pilot radioed Atlanta Center, stating, “Aero Star six eight triple nine we're going to make a reverse.” No further contact was made. The last radar return was at 09:20:59 at 15,600 feet. The wreckage was found on May 11, 2006. Examination showed the right wing separated 9 feet 2 inches outboard of the wing root, with the outboard section not recovered. NTSB Laboratory analysis found deformation patterns consistent with upward bending overstress of the right wing.