Departure and Search Efforts
A commercial pilot departed a remote, oceanside lagoon in a float-equipped airplane with three passengers on an on-demand air taxi flight. The departure occurred in reduced visibility and heavy rain. When the airplane did not reach its destination, the operator reported it overdue. Extensive search-and-rescue efforts along the coast and inland failed to locate the wreckage.
Wreckage Discovery
After the search ended, small portions of the fragmented airplane washed ashore approximately 28 miles northeast of the departure lagoon. The remainder of the wreckage has not been located despite sonar searches of the ocean near where the pieces were found.
Evidence of Fire
A stowed tent and duffel bag, reported to be aboard the airplane, were also found ashore near the wreckage location. These items exhibited evidence of exposure to a high temperature environment, such as a fire. However, there was no evidence indicating that the fire occurred in flight. The lack of soot on the undamaged areas, as well as the very abrupt demarcation line between the damaged and undamaged material, is consistent with the items floating in water and being exposed to a fuel fire on the water's surface, rather than having been exposed to a fire in the airplane’s cargo compartment.
Likely Sequence and Official Cause
Due to the fragmentation of the recovered wreckage, it is likely that the airplane collided with the ocean’s surface while in flight. However, because the engine and a majority of the wreckage have not been found, the sequence of events leading to the accident could not be determined. The official probable cause is undetermined.