What happened
The pilot departed under visual flight rules approximately one minute after the end of civil twilight. Approximately nine minutes into the flight, the pilot contacted San Juan CERAP to request flight following to the destination airport. The controller instructed the pilot to resume navigation on his own.
Roughly twelve minutes after takeoff, the pilot notified San Juan Approach that he was lost and had lost his bearing, requesting a direct heading. Although the controller provided a heading of 140 degrees, radar data showed the 5033Y flew a south-southwesterly course for over two minutes. During this period, the aircraft descended to 1,600 feet.
Subsequent radar tracking indicated that the altitude and heading changed numerous times, with the aircraft reaching a minimum recorded altitude of 300 feet. The controller attempted to direct the pilot back to the departure airport, but the pilot did not acknowledge the transmission. The final radar contact placed the Cessna 172 at 2,000 feet near 17 degrees 57 minutes 41 seconds North latitude and 064 degrees 59 minutes 04 seconds West longitude.
A search conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard for the occupants and wreckage yielded no results; no debris or bodies were ever recovered.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed radar data and weather conditions. Prior to departure, level 1-4 showers had occurred over the Caribbean Sea between the departure and destination airports. While there were no significant echoes along the flight route while the aircraft was airborne, low-level clouds resulting from the previous precipitation were likely present in the area.