What happened
During a night flight, the pilot chose to operate under a special VFR clearance rather than utilizing a pre-stored instrument flight plan. While the flight was being monitored via radar, the pilot climbed to an altitude of 8,500 feet once visual flight conditions were established. Although the minimum safe altitude warning service was active and available for use, the pilot did not request this assistance during the flight.
Radar tracking data showed the aircraft maintained a consistent ground speed of approximately 160 knots while traveling on a nearly steady course of 300 degrees. The final radar contact occurred when the aircraft impacted terrain at 8,500 feet MSL. The collision took place while the aircraft was still following its northwesterly trajectory, only about 0.3 miles from its last recorded position.