The airplane impacted terrain just north of its destination airport at 1326 Central time. The solo pilot was fatally injured; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed.
The airplane had been radar vectored for a landing but the pilot never contacted the control tower. Witnesses saw the airplane flying low overhead in the direction of the airport and said an engine was “sputtering” or making a “banging” sound and trailing smoke. Examination revealed the airplane struck two trees and some bushes, shearing off both wings. The left engine and propeller remained with the airplane, but the right engine separated from the airframe and the right propeller separated from the engine. The right propeller appeared to be feathered.
