Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the aircraft, registered as N619MP, was observed flying from west to east across a beach and out over the ocean. Witnesses reported that over the ocean, the sky was dark and thunderstorms were approaching with heavy lightning. As the aircraft crossed the beach, a distinct engine sound was heard and it increased as the aircraft banked steeply to the right and nosed down to a near vertical dive.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was seen crossing the beach from west to east. After proceeding over the ocean, it executed a steep right bank followed by a nose-down maneuver, resulting in a nearly vertical dive. Witnesses heard the engine sound increase as the aircraft descended. The aircraft impacted the water at an angle between 75 and 90 degrees from horizontal, with engines operating at high RPM.
Witness Accounts
Multiple witnesses provided consistent descriptions of the aircraft's flight path and final maneuver. They reported that the aircraft, while over the ocean, was flying in conditions with approaching thunderstorms and heavy lightning. The aircraft was observed to bank steeply to the right and then nose down into a dive, with the engine sound increasing. The aircraft struck the water in a dive attitude estimated at 75 to 90 degrees, with engines at high RPM.
Aircraft Identification and Damage
The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and sank into the ocean. Although the aircraft was not recovered, divers who examined the wreckage confirmed that it was N619MP. The accident investigation did not identify a probable cause.