History of Flight
On June 9, 2023, at approximately 8:43 am EDT, a Piper PA-32R-301 aircraft, registration N9253M, departed North Palm Beach County Airport (F45), West Palm Beach, Florida, on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan. The sole occupant was the pilot. The intended destination was Stella Maris Airport (MYLS), Long Island, Bahamas, with a final destination of Rum Cay.
At 8:46 am, Palm Beach TRACON cleared N9253M via radar vectors direct, initially at 2,000 feet, expecting 9,000 feet after 10 minutes. The pilot read back the clearance. The pilot contacted Miami Center Freeport Low at 9:09 am at 6,000 feet and was instructed to climb to 9,000 feet, which he did.
Communication and Weather
At 9:14 am, the pilot requested a deviation due to weather, which was approved. He was handed off to several controllers, eventually contacting Miami Center Georgetown Radar at 10:30 am. At 10:54 am, he reported being in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). At 10:56 am, he advised difficulty maintaining altitude in IMC. Miami Center asked if the aircraft was stalling; the pilot's response was unreadable. A Cessna Citation V jet nearby reported a “rough ride” and “rapidly intensifying” weather.
At 10:57 am, Miami Center broadcast for N9253M with no response. Envoy Air regional jet ENY4235 assisted with relay transmissions, but no response was received. At 11:01 am, the rain intensified, and ENY4235 remained on alert. At 11:03 am, the last radar contact showed an altitude of 2,900 feet at coordinates 23 59 39.6N 075 55 11.7W.
Search and Rescue
Miami Center initiated emergency protocols. Nassau Approach Control notified the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, US Coast Guard, and Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association. Marine and aerial assets were dispatched. On June 10, 2023, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force vessel HMBS Bahamas recovered a life jacket and an aircraft seat at coordinates 24 05.97N 075 50.40W.