What happened
Thirty minutes before departure, the non-instrument rated pilot received a weather briefing indicating that the remnants of a low-pressure system were present in the Northern Bahamas. The briefing noted showers along the Florida coast, with weather moving south and local heavy weather returns generally spanning 10 miles or less.
Following takeoff, the pilot was instructed to maintain visual flight rules conditions. Upon receiving clearance to climb to his cruising altitude, the pilot indicated he would remain near 2,500 feet due to weather ahead. After being directed to contact another controller, the pilot reported being at 4,000 feet and climbing to cruise altitude. Shortly after this transmission, the flight was lost from radar contact.
The investigation
Air traffic control radar data, when overlaid with weather radar data, revealed that the aircraft entered a line of weather containing Video Integrator Processor Level 4 thunderstorms immediately before disappearing from radar. Approximately 95 minutes after the accident, a Coast Guard helicopter located a debris field on the ocean. This field contained aircraft and human remains, as well as a jacket belonging to one of the occupants.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered Level 4 thunderstorms during the climb phase.
- There were fatalities involving the occupants of the aircraft.