Amateur-built Lancair 4P N241DM accident near Alhambra, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to continue the flight into an area of known thunderstorm activity and the in-flight structural failure of the airplane.

NTSB analysis

Prior to the instrument flight rules flight, the pilot received an updated weather briefing and was informed of the existence of severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and extensive convective activity along his proposed route of flight. While en route, the pilot was informed by air traffic control of areas of heavy precipitation along his flight path. The pilot continued the flight and encountered an area of extreme precipitation. Communication and radar position information were lost. The airplane's fuselage was found separate from the wings and tail surfaces. The wreckage trail was about 4 miles long, indicating that the airplane experienced an in-flight structural failure before impacting the ground.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08LA158 for the full record.