Flight and Initial Communications
A pilot conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight contacted an airport tower controller and asked if the field was VFR. The controller confirmed that it was. The pilot reported being 15 miles north of the airport, and the controller cleared him for a straight-in approach, instructing him to report a 3-mile final.
Loss of Communication
Approximately two minutes later, the controller asked the pilot for his position. The pilot responded that he was proceeding to a navigational aid to attempt another approach. The controller then asked if the pilot would like a contact approach, to which the pilot agreed. After the controller provided the approach control frequency, no further transmissions were received from the pilot.
Subsequent Search and Presumption
The airplane and the pilot were not located. They are presumed lost at sea.