Pilot Debrief

Maggs Lancair 4P near Alhambra, IL — 2008-06-06

Final reportCHI08LA158
Sign in to save
Date
2008-06-06
Location
Alhambra, IL, USA
Aircraft
Maggs Lancair 4P
Registration
N241DM
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

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 narrative

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.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

Related mishaps