Sequence of Events
The aircraft departed New Baden and began flying erratically along an interstate highway. During the flight, the pilot performed low head-on passes at cars, which caused one automobile accident. The aircraft then flew under an overpass, damaging a wingtip in the process. It also flew into an electrical cable, which damaged the vertical stabilizer. The pilot later buzzed a truck.
The pilot executed two sharp turns at low altitude. During the second turn, the left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft slid to a stop 190 feet later. The pilot was ejected from the cockpit and subsequently died. Investigation revealed that his seat belt was not fastened during the crash.
Pilot Background
After the crash, family members described the pilot as a paranoid psychotic, and friends stated that he was depressed. In a final interview before his death, the pilot repeatedly mentioned animosity toward gravel trucks.