Summary
On a flight from San Juan to St. Croix, the pilot of N405MN communicated with San Juan Approach Control, was identified on radar, and instructed to climb to 7,000 feet. About one minute later, the controller cleared the flight direct to St. Croix. Subsequently, the pilot requested radar vectors and was told to fly heading 140 degrees. Radar data indicated the aircraft leveled at the cruise altitude of 7,000 feet around 0444. At about 0453:36, the pilot requested a lower altitude and received clearance to descend to 2,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged, and no further transmissions were received. The descent began at approximately 0454. The transponder reported the aircraft at 6,500 feet at 0454:29, 5,600 feet at 0454:41, 4,000 feet at 0454:49, and 1,100 feet at 0454:53. After that, the flight was no longer observed on radar. No other aircraft or radar returns were noted near the flight during its descent.
Recovery of Debris
Recovered items included one main landing gear tire, wheel, and brake assembly; the left wing lower skin from above the wing flap; the left wing baggage compartment door; the right nose baggage compartment door; the cabin floor cover; and some U.S. mail cargo items. These components were found floating in the ocean north of the last radar contact on the day of the accident and in subsequent days. The recovered parts showed damage consistent with separation from the aircraft but no fire, heat, or soot damage. The remainder of the aircraft was not located. The Coast Guard reported the sea depth in the accident area as approximately 6,000 feet. U.S. Post Office personnel stated the flight carried 1,517 pounds of U.S. mail, with no hazardous materials. A 75-pound pouch of mail was recovered from the ocean and identified as having been on N405MN. Weather at the time was reported as scattered clouds with visibility 10 miles.