Flight History
The flight departed from Pompano Beach Airpark and flew to Okeechobee County Airport. Approximately 79 gallons of fuel were added to the fuel tanks at Okeechobee County Airport. No reports of fuel problems were reported by pilots who fueled from the same source either the day before or the day of the accident. The flight departed reportedly en route to Ormond Beach.
Accident Sequence
After takeoff, the airplane climbed to a maximum altitude of 4,400 feet while flying on a northerly heading. The airplane remained on a northerly heading but began descending at an average rate of 200 feet per minute, with several periods of level flight at the previous altitude. The flight continued north and descended to 2,600 feet, then began a right turn. Review of radar data indicates that between the last two radar targets, the airplane lost 1,000 feet of altitude in 12 seconds while turning to the right. At that time, the airplane was on top of a layer of fog that extended up to 1,240 feet.
Wreckage and Examination
A witness reported hearing the sound of an impact and drove to near the accident site but did not observe the wreckage; he did not notify law enforcement. The airplane impacted into a marsh, resulting in destruction of the airplane, which was located 2 days after the accident. The engines were located but could not be recovered. The fuselage and wings were fragmented. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of an in-flight break-up or of a fire. The stabilator trim was found full nose-down, but the cables were fractured. No autopilot system components were recovered. The autopsy report indicates the loss of most of the brain and heart.