Incident Overview
On October 13, 2007, at 1036 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Lancair IV, registration N95HS, was destroyed after encountering turbulence over Bahamian waters near Great Harbor Cay, Berry Islands. The certificated commercial pilot was presumed to be fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas, to Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI), West Palm Beach, Florida. The airplane was operating under Bahamian flight rules.
Radio Communications
An air traffic control transcript and radio transmissions recorded between the pilot and Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center revealed that about 1023, the pilot first contacted the controller, stating he was "climbing through...ten thousand four hundred for twelve thousand." The controller cleared the airplane to flight level 200, which the pilot acknowledged.
At 1032, the controller advised the pilot of intermittent areas of precipitation "from moderate to extreme along your route of flight" and approved deviations. The pilot responded that his onboard NEXRAD did not show such areas. The controller explained that their NEXRAD was inoperative and that another aircraft had encountered moderate to extreme turbulence and heavy rain. The pilot then decided to deviate to the east.
At 1036:02, the pilot reported encountering "severe, severe turbulence right here and heavy rain." The controller cleared the pilot to make evasive maneuvers, including changing altitude or making a three-sixty turn. The pilot did not respond, and no further transmissions were received from the airplane.
Radar and Debris
Radar data indicated the airplane was on a northwest track at 20,500 feet, then made a right turn toward the southeast. The last radar contact occurred at 1036:13 at coordinates 25 degrees, 33.3 minutes north latitude, 77 degrees, 58.3 minutes west longitude, with the altitude indicating 14,100 feet. Weather radar indicated the airplane was in an area of moderate to heavy precipitation.
A U.S. Coast Guard cutter later recovered an inflated raft with the airplane registration number in the vicinity of 25 degrees, 38 minutes north latitude, 78 degrees, 02 minutes west longitude. Smaller pieces of debris were also found, but neither the pilot nor any substantial parts of the airplane were recovered.
Pilot and Aircraft Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and sea, multiengine land and sea, and instrument airplane ratings, as well as a repairman certificate for his airplane. His latest FAA third-class medical application was issued in February 2006.
The airplane, built by the pilot from a kit, was certificated in November 2004. Maintenance records showed a "100 hour/annual conditional inspection" performed on March 21, 2007, and as of September 7, 2007, the airplane had 242 hours of operation.
Investigation
The investigation is under the direction of the government of the Bahamas. Contact the Department of Civil Aviation, Flight Standards Inspectorate, for further information.