Piper PA46-350P | N451MA

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot knowingly chose to operate the aircraft near and in severe convective activity, while having the capability to circumnavigate the area of intense storm and precipitation. The pilot was notified numerous times in advance by ATC of the impending intersection of his flight path with heavy precipitation and known convective activity..

Probable Cause issued 4/15/2026 – 24 months after the accident: The pilot’s encounter with convective weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane’s never exceed speed, and the resulting overload failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent failure of the airplane’s wings.

The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft use best practices in preflight planning and avoidance techniques while enroute, in order to remain well clear of all such clearly depicted severe weather, both visually and electronically.