Weather Briefing and Preflight
The pilot received a weather briefing that included flight precautions and an enroute forecast along the proposed route of flight.
Inflight Encounter and Clearance
While cruising at 14,000 feet, the pilot advised the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) that the flight had encountered rime ice. The controller cleared the aircraft to descend to 12,000 feet. During the descent, the aircraft disappeared from radar.
Search and Discovery
On February 22, an oil slick was sighted in the area believed to be where the aircraft crashed. Debris was found floating in the water, which is believed to have originated from the aircraft wreckage. The aircraft is presumed to be lost at sea, and the injuries are presumed.
Meteorological Conditions
SIGMET Papa-2, forecasting thunderstorms with cumulonimbus clouds with tops up to 45,000 feet, was issued at 0800 and was in effect until 1200 for the area of the aircraft's disappearance.