What happened
On 6 March 2001, a private Cessna (registration N272BB) departed Keflavik Airport, Iceland, as part of a flight plan intended to reach Stornemat, Scotland, en route to London for an air race. The flight was conducted by two pilots. After departing at 08:19 hrs, the aircraft initially maintained normal communication with Keflavik Approach Control and was later transferred to the Reykjavik Area Control Centre.
During the climb through approximately 14,400 feet, the crew made their final radio contact with air traffic control at 08:49:50. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's radar target disappeared at 08:56 hrs. The last recorded position was approximately 8 NM from the southern coast of Iceland. Following several unsuccessful attempts by Reykjavik controllers to re-establish contact, the Shanwick Air Traffic Control Centre was notified of the loss of communication.
A search operation involving maritime vessels and an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter was initiated later that afternoon. At 13:49 hrs, debris and human remains were discovered floating in the ocean, spread across a 5 NM area northwest of the last radar contact point. The accident resulted in 2 fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating under an instrument flight plan with a planned cruising altitude of FL150.
- The flight was part of a larger international air race event.
- Loss of radar contact occurred approximately seven minutes after the final voice communication was established.