Witness Account
A witness driving westbound on Interstate 75 observed the lights of an airplane in the night sky. The airplane descended at a steep angle while proceeding from north to south and then disappeared below the witness's horizon. At that time, it was raining intensely, very windy, and visibility was greatly reduced.
Communications
At 1958:28, the pilot contacted Fort Lauderdale North Departure Controller, stating, "flight express one zero six level three thousand golf at Opa Locka." The controller responded with vector instructions. At 1959:33, the controller instructed the pilot to descend and maintain 2,000 feet, which the pilot acknowledged. Subsequent communications continued until 2005:27, when the controller attempted to contact the flight without response.
Radar Data
Radar data showed that after being instructed to descend to 2,000 feet, the pilot maintained that altitude for about 9 seconds. The airplane then descended to 1,900 feet for about 2 minutes 25 seconds, followed by a gradual descent. The last reliable radar data at 2005:15 indicated the airplane at 800 feet. The radar track showed a near steady southerly heading during the flight leg.
Wreckage Examination
Emergency personnel responded to the scene and found the wreckage in about 3 feet of swamp water and sawgrass. The debris field was about 100 yards long, oriented in a southerly direction, with sawgrass slashed consistent with a descent to the northernmost impact point. Postcrash examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no preaccident anomalies.
Weather Conditions
A weather study conducted by the NTSB showed that at the time of the accident, cloud bases were near 1,600 feet and cloud tops were above 7,000 feet, with higher clouds above. Flight visibility was 0 miles in clouds and about 10 miles below the lowest cloud base. Conditions were conducive to light turbulence below 5,000 feet, and weather radar displayed echoes consistent with light rain.