What happened
On May 15, 2017, a Mitsubishi MU2B-40, registration N220N, disappeared from radar and radio contact while flying over international waters near Palmetto Point, Eleuthera. The aircraft had departed Rafael Hernandez Airport in Puerto Rico at approximately 1100 local time, bound for Titusville, Florida. The flight was being conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR) in instrument meteorological conditions.
Radar tracking indicated that the aircraft climbed to 24,000 feet and maintained a steady heading, airspeed, and altitude for roughly two and a half hours. As the aircraft transitioned through an area of overlapping radar coverage between the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, Nassau Approach, and Grand Turks Radar, the aircraft entered a brief "coast" status. After approximately three minutes, air traffic controllers attempted to contact the pilot but received no response. No further radar targets associated with the aircraft were detected.
The following day, debris and a fuel sheen were discovered floating in an area consistent with the aircraft's last known radar position. Despite a three-day search by the United States Coast Guard, the four fatalities—consisting of the pilot and three passengers—were not recovered.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, weather conditions, and radar data. Records showed the aircraft was a recent purchase and had been operated on this specific route several times in the preceding months. The pilot held a commercial certificate with multiengine and instrument ratings.
Meteorological data from the time of the disappearance indicated significant weather activity in the region. While the aircraft was flying through a cloud layer, satellite imagery showed cloud tops reaching 40,000 feet. Additionally, a pilot report from a Boeing 737 near the area described light to moderate rime icing. Upper air soundings confirmed that icing conditions were present in clouds at temperatures between -10° and -20° C.