What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot contacted a Flight Service Station (FSS) to inquire about weather conditions. He was explicitly advised that visual flight rules (VFR) operations toward Terre Haute, Indiana, were not recommended. Despite this warning, the pilot departed at approximately 1830 Central Daylight Time.
During the flight, the pilot made another radio contact with the FSS to check weather in Burlington, Iowa, and Springfield, Illinois, likely seeking a route to avoid congested airspace near Chicago. While reports indicated that weather in the Burlington area was acceptable, the FSS again advised against continuing the flight to Terre Haute. This communication marked the last known contact with the aircraft.
Just before the accident, witnesses observed the aircraft. One witness reported hearing the engine rev up and seeing a blinking light immediately prior to the crash. The aircraft subsequently separated in flight.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft had broken apart during flight. Debris from the right horizontal stabilizer, the lower half of the tail cone, the forward section of the vertical stabilizer, the left flap, and the left wing was located approximately one to one and a half miles from the primary wreckage site.
Inspection found no evidence of pre-accident part failure or mechanical malfunction. The pilot had logged only one hour of night flight time in the preceding 90 days and had not logged any night landings during that period.