What happened
On May 10, 2006, the pilot of Aero Star 6899 prepared for an IFR flight originating in Cornelia, Georgia, with a destination of Pensacola, Florida. Prior to departure, the pilot received a weather briefing from an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) detailing significant convective activity. The specialist warned of embedded thunderstorms between Atlanta and Mobile, noting predicted storm tops between 41,000 and 50,000 feet, and advised against immediate departure. Despite these warnings, the pilot filed an IFR flight plan at 16,000 feet.
During the clearance process, the pilot disconnected from the telephone line while waiting for instructions. Consequently, the aircraft departed Cornelia without receiving the necessary IFR clearance. Upon contacting Atlanta Center, the controller noted that the aircraft was not following the assigned altitude, heading, or transponder settings. The flight was subsequently cleared to fly directly toward Panama City, Florida, with instructions to climb to 16,000 feet.
At the time of the flight, several weather alerts were active, including a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Convective SIGMETs. These alerts described a wide line of thunderstorms capable of producing 2-inch hail and wind gusts reaching 60 knots, covering the aircraft's intended route. Radar tracking showed the Aero Star 6899 at 16,000 feet traveling southwest until approximately 09:20:38 CDT, when it began a continuous left turn toward the northwest. The pilot notified Atlanta Center of an intention to perform a reverse maneuver, but radio contact ceased shortly thereafter. The final radar contact occurred at 09:20:59 CDT at an altitude of 15,600 feet.
Findings
Search efforts located the wreckage on May 11, 2006. Post-accident analysis of the Aero Star 6899 revealed that the right wing had separated approximately 9 feet 2 inches from the wing root. Examination of the fracture surfaces indicated that the structural failure was caused by upward bending overstress of the right wing. Additionally, it was noted that air traffic controllers did not relay specific severe radar-depicted weather intensity information to the pilot, despite such data being visible on the controller's display.