At 2044 Eastern time, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while maneuvering. The solo non-instrument rated private pilot sustained fatal injuries. Instrument conditions prevailed.
According to friend of the pilot, he took off at 2038. Witnesses described the airplane as flying low near the tree tops. The witnesses heard the engine and then it suddenly stopped. The airplane impacted in a freshly harvested corn field near a tree line.
