What happened
A non-instrument rated private pilot and two passengers departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, intending to fly to Stella Maris, Bahamas. Although a VFR flight plan had been filed, it was never activated. Prior to departure, the Miami Flight Service Station did not recommend VFR flight due to prevailing weather conditions.
The pilot proceeded with the departure once weather conditions permitted VFR flight. During the initial climb out, the pilot declined to follow in the outer ARSA and was notified by controllers that his transponder signal was not being detected. Radar service was terminated six minutes after takeoff, and no further radio communications were established with the aircraft.
Two days later, a fishing boat located a body in the Atlantic Ocean. Following the discovery, the Coast Guard was dispatched to the area, where they recovered two additional bodies, two blue tote bags, a wallet, and a light brown airplane seat cushion near the site of the first body. The medical examiner subsequently identified all remains.
Findings
Aircraft delivery documentation indicated that buckskin seats were installed in the aircraft.