Flight Details
The flight was a dual instructional flight from Cahokia, Illinois, to Greensboro, North Carolina. Both pilots held instrument ratings. The aircraft, identified by registration N734KV, departed the Cahokia area and proceeded in a southeasterly direction. It was not radar identified but was observed with transponder code 1200, which typically indicates VFR flight, and altitude reporting.
Weather Information
Prior to departure, each pilot received a separate weather briefing. During these briefings, each was informed that VFR flight was not recommended. No further voice contact was established with the pilots after departure.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft was tracked by radar until it was lost from radar coverage at the location of the crash site of N734KV. At its last radar observation, the aircraft was at 2,500 feet MSL. Examination of the crash site revealed that the aircraft had struck a guy wire of a radio tower at an altitude of 2,440 feet MSL.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses reported that at the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by low clouds. The top portion of the radio tower was not visible due to the cloud cover.