CHI96LA259

While en route to Bismarck from the southeast, the noninstrument-rated pilot contacted a Flight Watch station and obtained weather information. He was informed of thunderstorm activity, 30 miles east of Bismarck. He decided to continue the flight, thinking the thunderstorm activity would be to the north. Also, he was informed that the sky condition at Bismarck was 2,500' scattered and 3,500' broken. Since he was at 4,500', he noted that he would have to descend to a lower altitude. At about that time, the airplane entered a cloud, which the pilot thought was a momentary condition. He tried to fly through it, but moments later, the airplane experienced severe turbulence. The pilot reported that he struggled to control the aircraft and was trying to descend below the clouds, while maintaining a course to Bismarck. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a wheat field in a level attitude and skidded to a stop.

On July 26, 1996, at 2245 central daylight time, a Beech C-24, N5247M, was substantially damaged. The pilot was trying to avoid a line of thunderstorms when he inadvertently encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). While attempting to return to visual meteorological conditions, the airplane impacted a wheat field. The private pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from the Flying Cloud Airport, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, en route to Garrison, North Dakota. IMC conditions prevailed at the accident site and a Visual Flight Rules flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that he had contacted a Flight Watch and was informed of thunderstorm activity in an area 30 miles east of Bismarck, North Dakota. He reported that he decided to continue the flight leg from Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Bismarck, thinking the thunderstorm activity would be to the north and east of his destination. He reported that he entered a cloud and thought it was a momentary condition. He tried to fly through it, but moments later the airplane experienced severe turbulence. He reported that he was struggling to control the aircraft and was trying to descend below the clouds while maintaining a course to Bismarck. The airplane impacted a wheat field in a level attitude and skidded to a stop.