Overview
An aircraft struck a guy-wire that supported a microwave tower, resulting in a crash and subsequent fire. The accident site was located next to Interstate Highway 57.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported observing the aircraft flying in a southerly direction parallel to I-57 at an altitude near treetop level prior to the accident. The aircraft then collided with the guy-wire and crashed, after which it burned.
Weather Conditions
The pilot began the flight in marginal visual flight rules (MVFR) conditions and continued visual flight rules (VFR) operations into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). A pilot for the Illinois State Police, who passed the vicinity of the crash site in an automobile approximately 15 minutes before the accident, reported that the ceiling and visibility were near zero at that time. The nearest weather reporting station, located 12 miles north of the crash site, reported an overcast ceiling at 300 feet, visibility of 2 miles in light drizzle and fog.