What happened
On March 24, 2008, at approximately 13:45 EDT, a Mooney M20C, registration N2943L, experienced an in-flight breakup while operating as a private Part 91 flight. The aircraft departed Grand Bahama International Airport (MYGF) in Freeport, Bahamas, at 13:19, en route to Port St. Lucie County International Airport in Fort Pierce, Florida.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with 10 miles of visibility. No flight plan had been filed for the flight. After departing MYGF, the pilot did not maintain radio communication with Freeport Approach Control, and no distress signals were received.
A fisherman located approximately 8 miles west of Grand Bahama Island reported hearing a loud noise similar to thunder. Upon looking up, the witness observed what appeared to be an airplane engine falling from the sky, which then exploded upon impact with the water. The witness also observed debris, including pieces of an aircraft wing, falling from the sky. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot and passenger were 2 fatal.