Incident Overview
A pilot and passenger departed on a late-night flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bound for Key West. The flight proceeded without apparent incident until the aircraft was in an overwater descent over the Gulf of Mexico.
Sequence of Events
The descent was normal until approximately 0223 Eastern Daylight Time, when the aircraft was about 34 miles northeast of Key West. Radar data indicated that at that time, the aircraft's heading began to constantly change, resulting in maneuvers involving climbs and descents over a four-mile area. After maneuvering for approximately four minutes, contact with the aircraft was lost. Search and rescue efforts were initiated. At 0655 EDT, an oil slick was found in the vicinity of the aircraft's last known position. Around 0900 EDT, a Coast Guard ship recovered debris from the aircraft, but the main wreckage and the occupants were not found.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at Key West included scattered clouds at 1,500 feet and visibility of six miles with haze. The weather at the accident site was not verified.
Conclusion
The aircraft was presumed to have been destroyed, and the occupants were presumed to have been fatally injured or drowned.