Weather Briefing
A pilot without an instrument rating obtained a weather briefing 30 minutes prior to departure. The briefing indicated that the remnants of a low pressure system were in the area of the Northern Bahamas, with associated showers along the coast of Florida. The weather was moving southward, and locally there were heavy weather returns, generally 10 miles or less.
Flight and ATC Communications
The flight departed under instructions to maintain visual flight rules conditions. When cleared to climb to cruising altitude, the pilot stated he would remain around 2,500 feet due to weather ahead. He was then instructed to contact another controller, and upon establishing contact, reported being at 4,000 feet and climbing to his cruise altitude. No further transmissions were received from the pilot thereafter.
Loss of Radar Contact
Shortly after the last transmission, the flight disappeared from radar. Air traffic control radar data overlaid with weather radar data showed that the flight entered a line of weather containing Video Integrator Processor (VIP) Level 4 thunderstorms just before radar contact was lost.
Discovery of Debris
Approximately 95 minutes after the accident, a Coast Guard helicopter located a debris field on the ocean. The field contained aircraft wreckage, human remains, and a jacket belonging to one of the aircraft's occupants.