Radio Communication and Radar Data
The pilot established radio contact with Air Traffic Control and was issued an IFR clearance. The controller observed the airplane in a turn and losing altitude, then asked if the pilot needed assistance. The pilot responded "standby." Shortly after, radar and radio contact were lost. Radar data revealed that the flight was about to intersect the assigned airway at an altitude of 5,800 feet. The flight then drifted left of the airway and climbed from 5,800 to 7,400 feet in 2 minutes and 1 second. The airplane turned approximately 180 degrees to the left, then descended 1,500 feet to 5,900 feet in 47 seconds. The descent continued from 5,900 to 1,700 feet in 2 minutes and 36 seconds. The last radar return was at 2209:40 with no altitude recorded. Communication transcripts indicated the pilot was receiving his IFR clearance around the same time and read back the clearance incorrectly.
Wreckage Recovery and Examination
About 4 hours after loss of contact, a United States Coast Guard aircraft located debris in the water. Due to ocean conditions and high winds, the search for the airplane and victims took several weeks. The airplane was not recovered from the ocean until November 15 and 16, 1999. Examination of the recovered wreckage did not reveal any discrepancies.
Pilot Experience and Weather Conditions
The pilot's personal logbook listing flight hours was not recovered. Based on his last insurance application dated April 20, 1999, it was estimated that the pilot had about 1,207 hours of total flight time in all aircraft, including 36 hours in the accident make and model, and 48 hours of night flight time. Weather at Key West, Florida (about 10 miles south of the crash site) at 2153 was: wind 040 at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; lowest ceiling 15,000 feet broken; temperature 79°F; dew point 73°F; altimeter 30.08 inHg. The United States Coast Guard station in Key West reported ocean swells of 6 to 8 feet and northeast winds at 15 to 20 knots around the time of the accident.