THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD FILED FOR AN IFR CLIMB TO VFR-ON-TOP. HE TOOK OFF AFTER RECEIVING A CLEARANCE TO THE BULLI INTERSECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO MAINTAIN 9000 FT, IF NOT VFR-ON-TOP BY THAT ALTITUDE. AT 1720 EST, THE PILOT TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS INITIATING A TAKEOFF. HE CALLED DAYTONA BEACH DEPARTURE CONTROL WHILE CLIMBING AND RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED AT 1722 EST. AT 1724, HE REPORTED CLIMBING THROUGH 1600 FT; HOWEVER, ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER, RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT LOW ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA WHILE IN A NEAR VERTICAL FLIGHT PATH. A TREE TRUNK WAS FOUND BELOW THE WRECKAGE PATH THAT HAD BEEN CUT IN THREE PIECES. THE CUT MARKS WERE CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE FROM A PROPELLER AT HIGH POWER. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS EVIDENT.