Flight Details
The aircraft was equipped with two VOR receivers and one ADF receiver, but no GPS receiver. The pilot was using an incorrect route segment for the flight. During the flight, the pilot advised the ARTCC controller that only one VOR receiver was operable, the ADF was inoperative, and he was unable to receive the VOR signal from Great Exuma, where he planned to refuel. The flight continued, and later the pilot advised the controller that the engine was running rough. The flight then descended to 4,000 feet, after which radio contact was lost.
Navigation Issues
The VOR located on Great Exuma Island, Bahamas, maintained by the Airway Facilities Section of the Department of Civil Aviation, Bahamas, was out of service on the day of the flight and had been out of service since March 1996. No NOTAM was in effect on the day of the flight, and this information was not published. The destination airport does not have an instrument approach, and landing at night is not permitted. The calculated arrival time was after the end of civil twilight at the destination airport.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had never flown in the Bahamas or Caribbean before while acting as pilot-in-command and had never flown a Cessna 182 before.
Search
A 4-day search for the airplane was performed with negative results.