Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot becoming spatially disoriented and exceeding the design stress limits of the aircraft. Factors were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, his attempted VFR flight into a level six thunderstorm, and his lack of instrument time.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
There is no record the non instrument rated pilot obtained an FAA weather briefing or filed a flight plan before departing hutchison, ks, enroute to colorado springs, co. The wreckage was found two days later scattered 0.7 miles in an open field. Pieces of the right wing, horizontal stabilizers, and cabin roof were found strewn along the wreckage path. The left wing and vertical stabilizer remained attached to the airplane by control cables. The cabin was gutted by fire. The right wing spar stub was bent down and aft. The left horizontal stabilizer spar stub was bent down and aft, and the right horizontal stabilizer spar stub was bent up and aft. The pilot was known to use his strike finder to navigate through thunderstorms. National weather service radar showed a line of severe thunderstorms in the area of kit carson at the estimated time of the accident. Maximum intensity was level six.
Source record
Factual narrative
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