What happened
The aircraft was on approach to Cristóbal-France Field in Colón when the pilot contacted air traffic control. At an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, the pilot reported approaching the city via Bahía Limón Bay. Visibility was reduced due to rainfall. During this phase, the float plane named 'Santa Maria' lost control and impacted the water surface a few kilometers offshore.
Debris was recovered floating on the water the following day. All 14 occupants were killed in the accident. A fire broke out after the impact, which contributed to the destruction of the wreckage.
Findings
The investigation board determined that the crash resulted from the aircraft striking the water at a speed of less than 90 miles per hour. The impact tore the airframe apart and ignited fuel, with an estimated minimum of 80 gallons present in the tanks. While the exact trigger for the collision with the water remains unidentified, the board identified two probable contributing factors in order of likelihood.
The primary suspect was a failure of one or both engines caused by a faulty gasoline system during the spiraling descent mentioned in the pilot's final radio transmission. The secondary possibility was the sudden encounter with severe rain that blanked out visual contact while the aircraft was losing altitude.