What happened
A pilot was operating under an instrument flight plan traveling from Mississippi to Alabama. After receiving clearance from the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (AARTCC) to descend at his discretion, the pilot initiated the descent. Shortly after, the pilot notified the controller that he had emerged from the clouds and requested to cancel his IFR flight plan.
The AARTCC informed the pilot that there was no traffic between his current position and his destination airport, instructed him to squawk 1200, and approved the cancellation of IFR flight rules. Following this communication, there were no further radio contacts with the controller. The final radar contact placed the aircraft at 3,300 feet, approximately 15 statute miles west of the Camden Airport. The wreckage was discovered in a wooded area the following day.
The investigation
Examination of the crash site indicated that the aircraft had collided with trees, which was consistent with controlled flight and an operating engine. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction regarding the airframe, flight controls, or the engine assembly and accessories.