U-FITAQP: 24) IN FLIGHT BREAKUP
THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did allow the aircraft to exceed manufacture max speed limits, and possibly turbulent air penetration procedures. The aircraft did enter an area of known icing, as well as significant weather. It is not known whether any other systems failures contributed to the accident. The aircraft broke up in flight and was found scattered over a very large area.
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 8/26/2026 – 25 months after the accident: The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction from the autopilot disconnecting due to an updraft from convective activity.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft review in flight weather forecasts for both significant weather as well as freezing conditions, and avoid where possible. The DTSB recommends slowing to Va speed well prior to approaching any known severe turbulence or severe weather, and to avoid all by good margins where possible.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
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