Accident Overview
A pilot operating an aircraft registered as N53460 crashed into trees approximately 6 miles east of Maiden, North Carolina. Witnesses in the area described the weather as rainy and foggy. Some heard the aircraft flying low before it collided with trees.
Flight Path and Communications
The pilot was off course for Statesville, North Carolina, even after receiving a heading steer from Hickory, North Carolina. When the pilot did not follow the course to Statesville, Hickory radio operators attempted to steer the aircraft to Hickory on a heading of 305 degrees. The pilot acknowledged and stated he was established on that heading. This communication occurred at 2003 local time. No further transmissions from N53460 were received after that time.
Weather Conditions
About 22 miles northwest at Hickory, North Carolina, the weather was reported as overcast at 2,000 feet, with 7 miles of visibility and fog. A local resident stated that at the accident site, it was raining, foggy, and dark.