What happened
The aircraft disappeared from both radio and radar contact while flying over the Caribbean Sea. Despite extensive search operations conducted in the area, neither the airplane nor any of the occupants were located.
Post-accident review of weather satellite imagery indicated that the aircraft had entered a region characterized by building showers and thunderstorms at the time of the incident. Due to the inability to locate the wreckage or survivors, the injuries and aircraft damage reported in official records are presumed rather than confirmed through physical evidence.
The investigation
Investigators relied on available radar data, radio communication logs, and meteorological satellite imagery to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. The analysis focused on correlating the last known position with weather patterns visible in the region.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the loss of the aircraft was its entry into severe weather conditions. Satellite data confirmed the presence of building showers and thunderstorms in the area where contact was lost. The lack of physical recovery precluded a mechanical examination of the airframe.