At about 2130 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was in effect. Night instrument conditions prevailed. While approaching the destination, the pilot reported a landing-gear indicator problem to ATC, which then gave the pilot a heading and altitude to fly. The pilot acknowledged the instructions; there was no further communications between ATC and the pilot, nor were there any reported emergency or distress calls. Several witnesses seeing the airplanes red lights appear from the clouds and descend rapidly before impacting the ground, lighting the sky with a post-crash fire. Investigation revealed the airplane impacted a ditch in a near-vertical attitude.
