Loss of control during flight from South Carolina to the Bahamas

5 fatalities • Atlantic Ocean, World • Flight

An aircraft disappeared over the ocean during a cross-country flight after the pilot declared an emergency during a climb.

What happened

A flight traveling from South Carolina to the Bahamas was approximately 30 minutes into its journey when the pilot issued a distorted radio message. This transmission, sent while the aircraft was climbing through 24,300 feet, indicated an emergency and an intention to turn back toward the coast. At the time of this communication, the aircraft had drifted slightly to the right of its intended path. Following the message, the aircraft began a descent and returned to its original course.

After the air traffic controller requested clarification multiple times, the pilot stated that the aircraft was descending. Approximately 15 seconds later, while at an altitude of roughly 23,500 feet, the aircraft performed a sharp left turn. During this maneuver, the descent rate accelerated to over 4,000 feet per minute, a pattern indicative of a loss of control. Despite further attempts by controllers to communicate, no further information regarding the pilot's intentions was received. One minute after the rapid descent began, the pilot issued another emergency declaration, after which all contact ceased.

Search operations led by the U.S. Coast Guard located an oil slick and various debris on the ocean surface near the last known radar position, though no specific wreckage was recovered.

Findings

Weather data indicated that a shallow layer of icing-prone conditions was present at 23,000 feet. However, because the aircraft was not found, investigators could not confirm if airframe icing played a role in the accident.

An emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was captured intermittently on an air traffic control recording for approximately 45 minutes. The signal began near takeoff and ended roughly five minutes after radar contact was lost. The intermittent nature of the signal and its detection patterns suggested the signal might have originated from a ground-based source rather than the aircraft itself. Additionally, the pilot's emergency transmissions featured significantly higher levels of background noise than earlier communications, though the cause of this noise remains unidentified.

Probable cause

The cause of the loss of control could not be definitively determined because the aircraft was not recovered, though icing conditions were present at the time of the accident.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2018-10-25 Piper PA-31 Cheyenne accident near Atlantic Ocean, World?

An aircraft disappeared over the ocean during a cross-country flight after the pilot declared an emergency during a climb.

Were there any fatalities in the 2018-10-25 Piper PA-31 Cheyenne accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-10-25 involved a Piper PA-31 Cheyenne, registration N555PM, operated by Bulldog Flying Club, at Atlantic Ocean, World.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the loss of control could not be definitively determined because the aircraft was not recovered, though icing conditions were present at the time of the accident.

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