Accident Details
During a preflight weather briefing, the pilot was informed that visual flight rules (VFR) flight was not recommended. Despite this advisory, the pilot departed under VFR conditions without filing a flight plan.
When the airplane was approximately 29 miles from its destination, it impacted a 400-foot-tall antenna tower at a point 60 feet below the top. The impact caused the tower to collapse in multiple directions as the airplane continued forward and downward.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was demolished in the accident. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. A post-accident examination revealed no pre-impact problems with the airframe or engines.
Witness Account
A witness located 10 miles north of the accident site reported that the area had been completely fogged in. However, just before the time of the accident, the fog had started to lift enough that the witness could see beneath the fog layer.