What happened
After receiving takeoff clearance, the pilot of the aircraft ceased all radio transmissions. The flight did not return to the departure airport, and the aircraft has not been located.
Civil Air Patrol personnel observed the aircraft 1 hour and 25 minutes after its departure at an airport situated 9 nautical miles south-southeast of the departure airport. At that time, the aircraft was performing touch-and-go landings before departing toward the northwest. Satellite photography captured at 4, 26, and 56 minutes after takeoff indicated there was no significant weather in the area during the period the aircraft was tracked.
Prior to departure, the pilot did not file a flight plan or obtain a weather briefing, noting a planned meeting for later that evening.