What happened
On February 17, 2003, at approximately 08:59 EST, the N54835, a Cessna (type not specified in source), departed Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport in Miami, Florida. The aircraft was traveling toward Bimini, Bahamas, under a visual flight rules flight plan. At the time of departure, instrument meteorological conditions were prevailing in the area.
Radar track data indicated that after takeoff, the aircraft climbed to 4,500 feet and maintained that altitude for approximately 45 seconds. At 09:06:37, the airplane began a slow descent. The aircraft disappeared from radar approximately four minutes later. Following reports that the flight had not arrived at its destination, search and rescue teams located an oil sheen and light aircraft-related debris in the Atlantic Ocean, situated roughly 8 miles east of the Miami Harbor Entrance.
Prior to departure, the pilot contacted the Miami Automated International Flight Service Station (MIA-AIFSS) five separate times. During the initial briefing, the pilot was informed that rain showers and thunderstorms were predicted to move across southern Florida toward Nassau. The pilot initially indicated he might not fly based on this outlook but intended to call back for updates. In the final communication at 08:25, the briefer noted weather activity near Key Largo moving slowly northeast, stating there was no significant activity along the route to Bimini at that moment. However, radar data showed the weather system had progressed northeast during the thirty minutes between the briefing and takeoff.
The investigation
The NTSB evaluated radar tracks, weather data, and other available information. Investigators also reviewed communications between the pilot and the Miami-AIFSS. The investigation noted that no records were obtained to verify if the pilot held an instrument rating.