The airplane was substantially damaged and the Commercial pilot fatally injured upon impacting terrain during a forced landing. The engine lost of oil pressure during cruise flight. Visual conditions prevailed; the accident occurred at about 1354 Eastern time. At about 1351, the pilot contacted controllers near Kalamazoo, Mich., and declared an emergency. The pilot was asked if he could maintain altitude; he responded, “No,” then advised he was going to land in a field. The airplane was found inverted with its empennage separated at a joint aft of the rear side windows.
