2011 Piper PA-28-140 Disappearance Over the Gulf of Mexico (N4533R)

Flight Details and Disappearance On August 1, 2011, at approximately 1033 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N4533R, was lost from radar over the Gulf of Mexico. The aircraft, operated by Gulf Air Center, Inc., was missing and presumed to be substantially damaged. The flight was a personal operation under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, originating from Jack Edwards Airport (JKA) in Gulf Shores, Alabama, at 0714. No flight plan was filed. The 68-year-old private pilot was missing and presumed to be fatally injured. The pilot had arranged a flight review with a certified flight instructor (CFI) at 0700. The aircraft was rented until 0830. Before 0700, the pilot requested a full fuel fill. Upon arrival at the fixed-base operator (FBO), the pilot stated he would take full responsibility for the aircraft, a comment overheard by the CFI. The pilot then departed from runway 09. The CFI observed the aircraft make a left turn north, believing the pilot was preparing for a touch-and-go. After about 10 minutes, the CFI attempted to contact the pilot via VHF transceiver but received no response. Radar data indicated the aircraft made several orbits over a residential area near the pilot's ex-wife's house at altitudes between 500 and 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl). The flight then proceeded south over the Gulf of Mexico, making several turns before heading west and climbing to a maximum altitude of 13,100 feet msl. The aircraft slowed and descended to 10,900 feet, which was the last radar target at 1032:47, located at 29°04.77'N latitude and 088°37.90'W longitude. Weather radar modeling indicated 20 to 30 dBz reflectivity in the area, correlating to Visual Information Presentation (VIP) level 2, associated with light to moderate turbulence, precipitation, and updrafts/downdrafts. A U.S. Coast Guard search was initiated, but no aircraft or debris was located.