Background
The flight departed Tamiami Airport in Miami, Florida, at approximately 2100 Eastern Standard Time on February 9, 1982. No flight plan was filed, and the purpose, destination, and any en route stops were not determined.
Accident Sequence
The next reported communication with the flight occurred at 0533 on February 11, 1982, when the following transmission was recorded on the Miami International Airport control tower frequency: "mayday-mayday-mayday twin Cessna 421CC going in west of Miami, going in west of Miami."
The aircraft initially impacted terrain while on an easterly heading in a near-level attitude. It bounced and impacted a second time in a 40° nose-down attitude and flipped inverted. The wing fuel tanks ruptured during the crash sequence, but the main tanks were intact and found void of fuel. Both propellers separated during the crash sequence, and blade distortions were not indicative of power at the time of impact.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined as: Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical; Findings: fluid, fuel - exhaustion; preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command; judgment - poor - pilot in command. Occurrence #2: forced landing. Occurrence #3: in-flight collision with terrain/water; Findings: weather condition - fog; light condition - dark night; terrain condition - rough/uneven.