2004 Atlantic Air Taxi Accident Involving N902GD

Flight Details and Disappearance On September 29, 2004, at approximately 1859 Atlantic standard time, the accident airplane, N902GD, operating as an on-demand air taxi flight transporting bank financial documents, departed Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The aircraft was subsequently reported as not having arrived at its destination. Search and rescue assets later discovered airplane-related debris, specific to the missing airplane, floating in the Atlantic Ocean near geographic position 18 degrees 29 minutes north latitude, 066 degrees 27 minutes west longitude. Radar track data indicated that after departure, the aircraft climbed to 1,700 feet and then descended to 1,300 feet at 1840. From 1840 to 1850, the flight proceeded east along the northern coast of Puerto Rico at an altitude of 1,100 feet. Around 1855, the aircraft climbed to 1,400 feet, then descended to about 1,000 feet at 1856. By 1858, it had descended to 800 feet and then to 600 feet before disappearing from radar at 18:59:18. Weather data showed that a weak upper air trough, a moist low-level southeasterly flow, and associated showers and thunderstorms had formed over Puerto Rico during the time of the accident flight. At departure, visual meteorological conditions existed, but Doppler weather radar data showed a 50 dBz (level 5) rain shower positioned about 3 to 5 miles off the airplane's right wing from 1837 to 1838. From 1855 to 1901, a level 4-5 (45-50 dBZ) rain shower was along the accident airplane's track. The radar track data and Doppler weather radar data were consistent with the flight having penetrated the rain shower corresponding to the time radar contact with the flight was lost. The NTSB Weather Group Chairman's Report has been included as an attachment to the factual report.