Weather during Cirrus crash in New York City

The Cirrus apparently crashed into the Manhattan building around 1440
local time, or 1840Z. KNYC is the closest official weather station to
the crash site. Below are the weather observations taken at KNYC and
nearby about 11 minutes after the accident. Almost immediately after
the accident time, rain began falling in New York City and the ceiling
began dropping.

AOPA reports:
AOPA member Henry Neimark was driving into the city at the time of the
accident. He saw the light aircraft maneuvering, banking steeply left
and right. "My impression is that he was desperately trying to get back
to the airport," Neimark told AOPA. "The airplane was in a steep,
coordinated bank, level, and then disappeared behind a building. I then
saw a huge fireball.".

....which implies the aircraft was not in the clouds before the impact,
it was visible to the ground.

Closest weather:
KNYC 111851Z AUTO 06006KT 7SM OVC018 17/13 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP117
T01720133 TSNO

Other nearby weather:
KLGA 111851Z 10013KT 9SM OVC018 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01830128
KJFK 111851Z 07011G19KT 8SM OVC015 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01780133
KTEB 111851Z 08007KT 7SM OVC019 17/13 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP115 T01720128

Owen wrote in message ...
The Cirrus apparently crashed into the Manhattan building around 1440
local time, or 1840Z. KNYC is the closest official weather station to
the crash site. Below are the weather observations taken at KNYC and
nearby about 11 minutes after the accident. Almost immediately after
the accident time, rain began falling in New York City and the ceiling
began dropping.

AOPA reports:
AOPA member Henry Neimark was driving into the city at the time of the
accident. He saw the light aircraft maneuvering, banking steeply left
and right. "My impression is that he was desperately trying to get back
to the airport," Neimark told AOPA. "The airplane was in a steep,
coordinated bank, level, and then disappeared behind a building. I then
saw a huge fireball.".

...which implies the aircraft was not in the clouds before the impact,
it was visible to the ground.

I realize the weather wasn't too unstable, but is it possible or likely that
the ceiling was somewhat uneven at that time?

Closest weather:
KNYC 111851Z AUTO 06006KT 7SM OVC018 17/13 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP117
T01720133 TSNO

Other nearby weather:
KLGA 111851Z 10013KT 9SM OVC018 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01830128
KJFK 111851Z 07011G19KT 8SM OVC015 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01780133
KTEB 111851Z 08007KT 7SM OVC019 17/13 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP115 T01720128

- Rick

maybe but the altitude of the airplane on passur was 700 ft, which
looks like it was 1000 ft below the observed ceiling.

Rick wrote:
Owen wrote in message ...
The Cirrus apparently crashed into the Manhattan building around 1440
local time, or 1840Z. KNYC is the closest official weather station to
the crash site. Below are the weather observations taken at KNYC and
nearby about 11 minutes after the accident. Almost immediately after
the accident time, rain began falling in New York City and the ceiling
began dropping.

AOPA reports:
AOPA member Henry Neimark was driving into the city at the time of the
accident. He saw the light aircraft maneuvering, banking steeply left
and right. "My impression is that he was desperately trying to get back
to the airport," Neimark told AOPA. "The airplane was in a steep,
coordinated bank, level, and then disappeared behind a building. I then
saw a huge fireball.".

...which implies the aircraft was not in the clouds before the impact,
it was visible to the ground.

I realize the weather wasn't too unstable, but is it possible or likely that
the ceiling was somewhat uneven at that time?

Closest weather:
KNYC 111851Z AUTO 06006KT 7SM OVC018 17/13 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP117
T01720133 TSNO

Other nearby weather:
KLGA 111851Z 10013KT 9SM OVC018 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01830128
KJFK 111851Z 07011G19KT 8SM OVC015 18/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01780133
KTEB 111851Z 08007KT 7SM OVC019 17/13 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP115 T01720128

- Rick