No fatalities

Nighttime Tree Strike Involving Twin-Engine Aircraft Near Dade-Collier Airport (N3994C)

Dade-Collier, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 25, 1980, a Cessna 404 Titan (registration N3994C) operated by Private United States of America was involved in an aviation accident near Dade-Collier, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with trees by night for unknown reasons. Illegal flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft engaged in an illegal flight carrying marijuana struck trees at night near Dade-Collier Airport. The passenger was seriously injured, while the pilot disappeared and was never found.

Incident Overview

An aviation safety incident occurred involving a twin-engine airplane that was operating without legal authorization. At the time of the event, the aircraft was transporting a cargo of marijuana, indicating that the flight was conducted for illicit purposes rather than standard commercial or private aviation activities.

Circumstances of the Accident

The crash took place during nighttime hours while the aircraft was flying at a low altitude. The location of the accident was in the vicinity of Dade-Collier Airport. During this low-level flight, the airplane collided with trees, which resulted in the immediate loss of control and a subsequent crash to the ground.

Casualties and Aftermath

The impact of the collision caused significant harm to those on board. The passenger sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash. In contrast, the pilot did not survive or was not located at the scene; official records indicate that the pilot disappeared and was never found following the incident.

Official Findings

The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was a collision with trees during nighttime operations for unknown reasons. Additionally, the authorities noted that the flight itself was illegal due to the unauthorized transport of controlled substances.