What happened
On the morning of the accident, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, registered YV-385CP, departed from Fort Lauderdale International Airport at approximately 10:53. The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules for a personal flight. Shortly after 11:13, radar tracking showed the aircraft descending rapidly from an altitude of roughly 23,600 feet to 2,800 feet within approximately one minute. At 11:14, the pilot contacted FAA ARTCC to declare an emergency and requested urgent guidance to Bimini. Following this transmission, all communication ceased. The aircraft subsequently impacted the Atlantic Ocean approximately 9 miles southwest of Bimini. The impact resulted in two fatalities, involving a commercial-rated flight instructor and a pilot-rated passenger.
Findings
Analysis of FAA communications recordings revealed electronic signatures consistent with propeller noise at a cruise setting. Investigation into the aircraft's history revealed that YV-385CP had previously sustained significant structural damage in an accident in Venezuela. While the aircraft had undergone repairs in Venezuela and was being moved to a United States facility for further work, maintenance records indicated a history of extensive issues. These included problems with the fuel system, damaged wiring, and structural leaks that had caused multiple difficulties with the aircraft's pressurization system.