History of Flight
On August 19, 2023, at approximately 12:25 p.m. EDT, a Cessna 402B aircraft, formerly registered in the Bahamas as C6-SPK (serial number 402B1054), departed from Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL), Florida, with one person on board. The intended destination was North Eleuthera International Airport (MYEH) in the Bahamas, with a planned return to KFLL shortly after 2:00 p.m. The aircraft never arrived at its destination.
At approximately 12:58 p.m., air traffic control at KFLL observed the aircraft in a rapid descent from about 8,400 ft mean sea level to approximately 4,500 ft MSL near coordinates 25.84N 78.90W, roughly 70 nautical miles southeast of KFLL and 18 nautical miles northeast of Bimini, Bahamas. The aircraft was not observed on radar after this event.
Search and rescue efforts were initiated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). An updated position at coordinates 25°20'35.00"N 76°59'46.00"W (17 nautical miles southwest of MYEH) was later provided by the USCG, but searches extending through August 21, 2023, did not locate the pilot or the aircraft. The final report states that neither has been found.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 402B is a light twin-engine piston aircraft from the Cessna 401/402 series, produced from 1966 to 1985. It is powered by two turbocharged Continental engines (300 hp each) with three-bladed, constant-speed, fully feathering propellers. The accident aircraft had been removed from the Bahamas Aircraft Registry on July 17, 2022. No evidence or documentation was found during the investigation indicating that the aircraft was maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 70, held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with Single and Multi-Engine Land ratings, issued by the FAA on August 7, 2023. He also held type ratings for Convair 240/340/440 and Lockheed L-1329/LR-JET, as well as advanced Ground Instructor and Flight Instructor certificates. He was a certified mechanic with Airframe and Powerplant ratings. His first-class medical certificate, issued in March 2023, required corrective lenses.
On June 10, 1996, the FAA issued an Emergency Order of Revocation for all his airmen certificates after determining he operated a Cessna 402C for compensation or hire without proper authorization between November 1995 and April 1996. The order was amended on July 17, 1996, revoking his Airline Transport Pilot and Commercial Pilot privileges, while his Private Pilot privileges were suspended for 30 days ending July 10, 1996.
Injuries
According to the investigation report, one person (the pilot) sustained fatal injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Investigation Findings
The investigation noted that the aircraft had been removed from the Bahamas registry on July 17, 2022, following a letter from the operator's Accountable Manager. No probable cause was determined, as the aircraft and pilot remain missing.