20130214006439A

On February 14, 2013 about 1630 local time, a Cessna 310H, N104DR on its way from sebastian to bartow, Florida was destroyed during impact with terrain approximately 15 miles west of Vero Beach. The wreckage was found the following day in the ft drum marsh conservation area and could only be accessed by helicopter. The pilot, a pilot rated passenger and another passenger sustained fatal injuries during the accident.

The flight originated from nassau, Bahamas, stopped in west palm Beach to clear customs, transitioned through Vero Beach airspace and dropped off the central Florida TRACON radar around 1630 local time. No flight plan was filed prior their final departure from sebastian to bartow.

The pilot/owner of the aircraft held private pilot privileges for airplane single engine land and sea, multi engine land but no instrument rating. His valid 3rd class medical was issued July 8, 2011. Airmen records showed his total flight time at 391 hours and 54 hours in a Cessna 310 at the completion of his multi engine practical test on September 20, 2011, which would make him subsequently current with the requirement for a flight review. The passenger in the right front seat held commercial pilot privileges in rotorcraft helicopter, private pilot privileges for airplane single engine land and sea, was instrument rated in airplane and helicopter. He was not rated for multi engine airplanes.

The pilot rated passenger contacted the fss briefer three times via telephone and requested weather briefings. He identified himself as the copilot. Adverse weather conditions with thunderstorms, rain, low visibility and/or low ceilings over most of central Florida prevailed. On the third weather briefing the pilot rated passenger commented to the fss briefer that he was trying to figure out how they can scudrun to get home.

Around 1457 N104DR contacted Vero Beach tower and advised them that they were scudrunning up the coast to sebastian VFR at 500 ft. after departing sebastian on their final leg a pilot of N104DR contacted orlando approach around 1621 and stated that they inadvertently entered IFR conditions and needed assistance. Shortly after, the pilot requested the height of the cloud tops in order to climb through them and get over the top. Approach control advised him numerous times to squawk a discrete code in order to identify the aircraft on their radar screen as well tried to get in touch with the aircraft many more times thereafter but was unsuccessful with their attempts. Radar targets showed the aircraft for over 3 minutes between 100 and 300 ft before it disappeared from the screen.

Around the time of the accident, the weather at Vero Beach airport at 1653 was recorded with 4 miles visibility, rain, mist, clouds scattered 600 ft, broken ceiling 2200 ft and overcast 2800 ft. at 1635 okeechobee airport, which is located about 25 miles southsouthwest of the accident site, recorded 2 1/2 miles visibility, winds from 350 degrees at 7 gusting up to 16 KTS, thunderstorms in the area, clouds scattered 700 ft, a broken ceiling at 1500 ft and an overcast layer at 2500 ft. at 1635 the destination airport bartow recorded 2 miles visibility, rain, a broken ceiling at 100 ft, a broken layer at 4400 ft and broken again at 5000 ft.

The aircraft was found on its belly in the swamp between strong tall trees. Photographs of the wreckage remained relatively intact, except the tail section separated from the fuselage. Wingtips, cowlings and other debris were located in the immediate vicinity. The top of the cabin was cut off and rested over the right wing area. The throttle lever of the left engine was bend sideways to the left and slightly retarded, potentially due to impact. The throttle for the right engine, both propellers and mixtures were fully opened. Several surrounding trees showed damage due to impact.

Further examination of the aircraft could not be completed since the wreckage has not been recovered from the swamp.