20230602007309A

The flight was planned direct at A110. A route standard briefing was issued at 1039Z from kbjc to krdk. The aircraft departed at approximately 1209Z and climbed to the cruising altitude of 110. The aircraft remained at 110 for approximately 1+30 before climbing to 150. The aircraft was flown into a convective cell that included heavy precipitation. The pilot remained at 150 for approximately five minutes before requesting a decent after picking up ice. ATC issued a clearance for 110-150 block altitude. 1405:44Z was the last transmission from the pilot and radar contact was lost at 1408:37Z. The aircraft impacted the ground in a near vertical, nose low attitude in the location n 40.69317 w 98.87659. The impact site was a flat, grass field surrounded by trees.

Evidence at the accident site was consistent with the airplane impacting the terrain in a nose low, near vertical attitude. The propeller was found in the initial impact area separated at the flange. The propeller was twisted. Both blades remained attached at the hub and exhibited chordwise scratching and bending along the blade length.

The leading edge of the wings impacted the ground, crushing the wings. The main wreckage consisted of the wings and the empennage. The wings remained attached to the airframe. The horizontal stabilizer remained attached to the fuselage. The vertical stabilizer and the rudder were separated from the rest of the empennage.

The engine and propeller assembly were separated during the impact sequence. The engine came to rest approximately 40 ft from the impact site while the aircraft fuselage continued to the west of the impact site approximately 100 ft. the mixture and throttle controls were found along the debris field and were found in the full rich and high RPM setting, respectively. The magnetos and carburetor were separated and found adjacent to the engine. The main landing gear assembly was found near the engine with one tire found about 75 feet and one found about 110 feet west of the main wreckage. The debris field contained fragmented engine components, instrument panel, windshield, and multiple pieces of fiberglass skin.

Control cable continuity from the cabin to the rudder and elevator could not be determined due to impact damage. The elevator push tube was present and attached to the elevator, but due to impact damage, the elevator was unable to move. A piece of the bottom rutter fairing was found approximately 130 ft northwest of the initial impact site.

Fuel system and engine was unable to be functionally tested due to the damage from the impact. The engine case was cracked. Fragments of the oil pan were found in the debris field.

The altimeter was found along the debris field with a 30.00 pressure setting in the kollsman window. Elevation at the accident site was 2067. The closest reporting facility (ear) reported 30.01 inhg about the time of the accident.

The main wreckage came to rest upright on a 266°heading, and consisted of the fuselage, wings, and horizontal stabilizer. The debris field was generally aligned on a 257°heading.