What happened
On a flight returning to Panama City-Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, a twin-engine aircraft vanished while traveling from Bocas del Toro. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the disappearance, had previously completed a flight to drop off seven passengers at their destination. Following the loss of contact, search and rescue operations were launched to locate the missing plane and the pilot.
Despite the efforts of rescue teams, no wreckage or debris from the aircraft was located. Due to the lack of any physical evidence or sightings, the search and rescue mission was officially terminated on January 8, 2003. The aircraft and the pilot remain missing.
Findings
No specific cause for the disappearance was determined, as the absence of any trace of the aircraft or the pilot prevented a conclusive investigation into the accident.