What happened
On June 9, 2023, a Piper PA-32R-301, registration N9253M, disappeared while flying an instrument flight rules (IFR) route from West Palm Beach, Florida, to the Bahamas. The aircraft was en route to Stella Maris with a final destination of Rum Cay, carrying a single occupant.
During the flight, the pilot requested several deviations from the planned route to avoid deteriorating weather. By late morning, the aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). At approximately 10:56 am, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was struggling to maintain its assigned altitude. Shortly thereafter, a nearby jet reported experiencing a very rough ride due to rapidly intensifying weather.
At 11:03 am, radar contact was lost near the Exuma Cays, approximately 43 NM northwest of Stella Maris Airport. The last recorded altitude for the aircraft was 2,900 feet. Following the loss of contact, search and rescue operations were initiated by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and other agencies. During the search, responders recovered an aircraft seat, a life jacket, and a bilge pump, all confirmed to be from the missing aircraft. As of the final report, neither the pilot nor the aircraft has been located.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed compliance with all required annual inspections and airworthiness directives. The meteorological environment was analyzed using NTSB specialist reports, which identified the presence of significant convective hazards, including lightning, icing, and extreme turbulence. Investigators also reviewed communications between the pilot, air traffic control, and other aircraft in the vicinity to reconstruct the final moments of the flight.