Overview
According to the official investigation source, an aircraft was observed during a night flight in visual conditions. The sequence of events began with the aircraft on a downwind leg over a brightly lighted city at an altitude between 300 and 500 feet.
Sequence of Events
After passing the city, the aircraft entered a very dark and hilly area located immediately north of the city. The pilot then executed a left turn onto the base leg, continuing over unlighted and hilly terrain. Shortly thereafter, the pilot contacted the air traffic control tower and stated that he was turning from base leg to final approach. Approximately 20 seconds after that communication, the tower operator observed a bright orange flash about 3 miles north of the airport and east of the extended centerline of Runway 17.
Observations
The tower's observation of a bright orange flash is the only reported visual indication of an event following the pilot's transmission. The flash occurred over unlighted and hilly terrain, consistent with the area the aircraft had entered earlier. The investigation source does not provide further details regarding the aircraft's condition, pilot status, or any subsequent actions.