19990609021759A

On June 9, 1999, about 2054 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N56192, registered to major strategies, inc., was lost from radar and radio contact approx. 354 degrees and 2.2 nautical miles from the Cape Canaveral air force station skid strip, Cape Canaveral air station, FL. Weather conditions are unknown and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. The airplane was destroyed and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight originated about 1902 from the fort lauderdale executive airport, fort lauderdale, FL. Preliminary information indicates that after takeoff, air traffic control (ATC) communications were transferred to the miami approach control then west palm beach approach control where radar services were terminated. The flight continued and the pilot contacted orlando approach control, then ATC communications weretransferred to daytona beach approach control. While in contact with that facility the airplane was observed on radar to enter a left descending turn. The airplane was lost from radar at approx. 2054, when the flight was at n 28 degrees 30.19 and w 080 degrees 34.07, at 5,400 feet MSL. A search w as initiated and the airplane was visually located about 1330, on June 11, 1999. The investigation continues. (-23) no flight plan, using flight following (.4)no preflight or in-flight weather briefings were obtained by the pilot. While being vectored by ATC and advised to maintain VFR, the non-instrument rated pilot encountered level 3 radar returns. Radar data from jacksonville ARTCC indicates that the airplane entered a left turn with the airplane descending 1,000 feet in a 12 second period between the second to last and the last radar returns, where the airplane was lost from radar at 5,400 feet mean sea level. Separated sections of both wings and right horizontal stabilator were located about .3 nautical mile south-southwest of the main wreckage location. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed no evidence of preexisting cracks. A search for the airplane by the U.S. Coast guard, the civil air patrol, and aircraft from patrick and moody air force base was performed. The wreckage was located approximately 40 hours after the airplane was lost from radar by the flight crew of a helicopter from the 301 rescue squadron. Examination of the engine, flight controls, and vacuum pump revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The end of civil twilight where radar contact was lost occurred at 2052. Cocaine and benzoylecgonine which is an inactive metabolite of cocaine were detected in the pilot's bile. Propoxyphene which is a narcotic painkiller ofter referred to by the trade name darvon, and norpropoxyphene which is a metabolite of propoxyphene, were also detected in the pilots bile. Asmall plastic packet of cocaine was found in a wallet that contained the pilot's identification.