Incident Overview
The flight departed Fort Lauderdale at 1626. At 1654, while in the vicinity of Bimini, the flight was advised to contact Nassau radio. The flight did not contact Nassau, and no further communications were received. Search efforts produced no results. The wreckage and all three occupants were not recovered.
Weather Conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed on the proposed route of flight. Radar depictions indicated severe weather between Miami and Bimini. SIGMET 7, issued at 1455, showed an area of embedded thunderstorms extending to a point 100 miles east of Miami, with tops reaching 40,000 feet, moving northeast at 15 knots.
Search and Findings
Extensive search efforts failed to locate the wreckage or any of the three occupants. The aircraft and its occupants remain missing.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the reason for the occurrence is undetermined. A thunderstorm weather condition was present.