Flight Path and Radar Observations
The pilot departed on a night cross-country flight. Radar tracked the airplane climbing to 2,500 feet and leveling off. Upon reaching the coastline, the airplane turned south, paralleled the coast, and began a descent at 500 feet per minute. It went below radar coverage at 1,000 feet approximately 5 miles north of the accident area.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses observed the airplane flying level, parallel to the coast, about 150 feet above the water. It then flew over an amusement park pier. The airplane turned left away from the coast toward the open ocean, then initiated another left turn to the north. During the northerly turn, it descended, struck the water, and sank about half a mile offshore in the Atlantic Ocean around 0230 EDT.
Wreckage and Conditions
The wreckage was not recovered. Nautical twilight occurred at 0426, and the moon was 20 degrees below the horizon at the time of the accident.
Pilot Background
The pilot was not instrument rated. A flight examination form from one year earlier documented 4 hours of dual night flying experience.