Overview
The flight was conducted as a local area familiarization under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The mission involved simulating low-level flight for animal and bird counting, a routine contracted activity. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, with occasional moderate turbulence forecast for the area.
Occupants and Crew
The airplane carried three occupants: the pilot, a company check pilot, and another company pilot riding as a passenger. Both the pilot and the check pilot held airline transport certificates and had experience with the make and model of the accident airplane.
Flight Route and Data
The airplane was equipped with a satellite position reporting device that updated position, groundspeed, and altitude every two minutes. Radar and GPS track information indicated that the accident airplane flew low and slow along a peninsula coast over a saltwater inlet. The track then turned toward the center of the inlet, stopping about three miles offshore.
During the flight along the inlet, the airplane descended to 112 feet above ground level (over water) and climbed as high as 495 feet, which was its altitude at the last data point. Groundspeed varied between 97 and 111 knots.
Search and Investigation
The area of the presumed crash site experiences extreme tides and strong currents, and reduced visibility due to high glacial silt content. An extensive search was conducted, but the airplane and its occupants have not been located. An examination of the airplane's maintenance logs did not disclose any unresolved maintenance issues.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is undetermined, as the airplane and its occupants are missing.