What happened
Prior to the initial flight from the United States to Nassau, Bahamas, the pilot utilized the Data User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) to obtain weather briefings, which indicated forecasted thunderstorms. However, for the return flight involved in the accident, the pilot did not request a weather briefing through DUATS or a Lockheed Martin flight service station. While it remains unconfirmed if a briefing was obtained via the Nassau Flight Service Station, meteorological data showed that thunderstorms and severe turbulence were forecasted for the flight path well before departure.
Following takeoff, the aircraft maintained contact with Nassau terminal radar approach control, though the facility was operating with inoperative primary radar. The flight climbed to an altitude of roughly 8,000 feet mean sea level, maintaining a northwesterly course with minimal deviation. Despite being equipped with a stormscope and color weather radar, the aircraft entered an area of level 6 radar returns characterized by frequent lightning strikes. During this encounter, the aircraft began a rapid descent. No requests for weather avoidance or deviation were made to air traffic control by the pilot. Subsequently, all radio and radar communications ceased, and the aircraft, its crew, and the wreckage were never located.
Findings
- The pilot failed to obtain a formal weather briefing for the return flight, which would have provided notice of the forecasted severe weather.
- The aircraft entered an area of intense thunderstorm activity and lightning strikes without requesting deviation assistance from air traffic control.