Cargo Flight Crash in Everglades After Night Departure from Miami (N296)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A cargo flight operating on behalf of Warnaco Inc. was en route from Miami to La Romana when it crashed shortly after departing Miami International Airport. The aircraft took off at night from runway 27L and was in its initial climb when the crew encountered severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and turbulence. ## Crash and Casualties The aircraft lost control and impacted the ground nose-first in Everglades National Park, approximately 8.9 nautical miles northwest of the airport. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and all three crew members on board were killed. ## Probable Cause and Contributing Factors The official investigation determined that the loss of aircraft control was due to either turbulence, an in-flight fire, or both. A contributing factor was the crew's inability to establish timely radio communications with the departure controller, which delayed compliance with thunderstorm avoidance vectors.