At 0921 Central time, the airplane experienced an in-flight breakup while maneuvering in a Level 5 and 6 thunderstorm. Instrument conditions prevailed at altitude; an IFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the Private pilot and single passenger received fatal injuries. A review of radar and performance data revealed that the airplane was at 16,000 feet msl when it entered an area covered by a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and which was the subject of a Convective SIGMET for a line of thunderstorms 40 nm wide. Tops of the thunderstorms were reported at 44,000 feet, with 2-inch hail, and possible wind gusts up to 60 knots.
May 10, 2006, Camp Hill, Ala. / Piper PA60-602P
At 0921 Central time, the airplane experienced an in-flight breakup while maneuvering in a Level 5 and 6 thunderstorm. Instrument conditions prevailed at altitude; an IFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the Private pilot and single passenger received fatal injuries. A review of radar and performance data revealed that the airplane was at 16,000 feet msl when it entered an area covered by a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and which was the subject of a Convective SIGMET for a line of thunderstorms 40 nm wide. Tops of the thunderstorms were reported at 44,000 feet, with 2-inch hail, and possible wind gusts up to 60 knots....
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane experienced an in-flight breakup and was destroyed while maneuvering in a Level 5/6 thunderstorm, resulting in fatal injuries to the private pilot and single passenger.
- The incident occurred in instrument conditions, despite an IFR flight plan being filed, and within an area covered by a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Convective SIGMET.
- The aircraft entered a region characterized by a 40-nautical-mile wide line of thunderstorms with tops reported at 44,000 feet.
- Severe weather conditions included 2-inch hail and possible wind gusts up to 60 knots.
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