At 1310 Eastern time, the airplane impacted terrain during an emergency landing. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Soon after takeoff, the pilot told ATC he was losing engine oil pressure. At 1305, he requested radar vectors to the nearest airport. At 1306, the pilot notified ATC his windscreen was covered in oil. At 1308, ATC lost radar and communications with the airplane. A witness saw an airplane flying overhead and heard it “backfire.” The witness further stated that shortly thereafter, he saw smoke coming from underneath the airplane. He said that the engine appeared to be running at full power, while continuing to backfire and emit smoke until it disappeared from his sight.
