THE Australian Transport Safety Bureau has called on pilot to slow down in storms, after completing its investigation into the death of Roma Aero Club president Darryl Marsh last year.

The ATSB released its findings yesterday and said that while the exact cause is not known, a likely combination of bad weather and air speed caused the plane crash in which Mr Marsh died, aged 49.

ON December 7 2011, he was flying his Cessna 210M solo from Roma to Dysart in Queensland's central coal fields under "visual flight rules" which is weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.

The ATSB report said thunderstorms with associated cloud, rain and severe turbulence were forecast for the area.

"About 30 minutes into the flight the outer sections of the wings and parts of the tail separated," the report said.

"The aircraft collided with terrain, fatally injuring the pilot."

The report said the aircraft was structurally sound before the crash around 100km north of Roma and had no system defects.

"Aircraft airspeed with the effects of turbulence and/or control inputs generated stresses that exceeded the design limits of the aircraft structure," the report said.

The report said pilots needed to be aware of the manoeuvring speed for the aircraft weight, and should not exceed it when full control deflection is required or severe turbulence or wind gusts are encountered.

"This accident is a reminder to all pilots that, to minimise the risk of structural damage or loss of control, thunderstorms should be avoided," the report concluded.