Mooney M20F | N7026V

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot, and pilot rated passenger in the right seat did enter an area of both IMC and convective activity. The non instrument rated private pilot was situated in the left pilot seat, while his father occupied the right seat. Since the aircraft had previously been on an IFR flight plan, it is reasonably assumed that the father was acting as the PIC for this flight, even though he was situated in the right front pilot seat. The family of three were enroute to a college golf tournament, and did simultaneously enter IMC conditions, as well as severe convective activity, as observed by persons on the ground and near the crash site. The left seat private pilot was receiving instruction from his father who was a co owner in the accident aircraft, was very experienced, and could have been acting as CFI or CFII. The NTSB preliminary report indicates that the left and right elevator were found to be more than 400 feet from the main wreckage, indicating an in flight over load separation prior to impact.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to have increased vigilance for the avoidance of IMC conditions in conjunction with known convective activity, especially in light General Aviation aircraft that do not have weather radar capability on board. Once in IMC conditions, there is virtually no way to avoid the heaviest of severe cells that are capable of causing these in flight breakups.