What happened
While operating a flight from Miami toward San Juan, the aircraft experienced a significant failure within its electrical system. This malfunction resulted in the loss of navigational orientation for the crew, leading them to fly westward across the Gulf of Mexico.
As fuel levels became critically low, the captain decided to perform an emergency ditching. The aircraft type impacted the ocean approximately 125 miles south of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Following the crash, the crew of the merchant vessel 'St Mary' arrived at the scene and managed to rescue three individuals. Tragically, the incident resulted in one fatality among the crew members.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary reason for the ditching was the loss of situational awareness following a major electrical system failure. The aircraft was forced into the water after the malfunction left the crew unable to maintain their course, eventually leading to insufficient fuel for continued flight.