FTW96LA044

The pilot programmed a detailed flight log for his intended cross-country flight along the gulf coast. A weather briefing was obtained, and the weather for the route of flight remained VMC. The airplane departed at approximately 1530. Concerned relatives reported the airplane missing after it failed to arrive at its proposed refueling stop. A search was coordinated and conducted by the Civil Air Patrol. The body of the pilot washed ashore 7 days after his departure. The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was drowning in the ocean. No trace of the remains of the airplane were found. The airplane was presumed to have been destroyed.

On October 27, 1995, at approximately 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N714AS, was reported overdue and missing after it failed to arrive at its planned intermediate refueling stop. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The aircraft, owned by Mike J. Cousins, of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.

The flight originated from the Braithwaite Park Airport, near Braithwaite, Louisiana, at approximately 1530. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the personal cross country flight for which a flight plan was not filed. Weather reports from reporting stations in the area of the accident are enclosed.

According to the pilot's father, the pilot had programmed a detailed flight log using a portable GPS which was carried on board the airplane. The final destination was the Castroville Municipal Airport, near Castroville, Texas. A refueling stop was planned at Galveston, Texas.

The pilot was provided a preflight weather briefing by the DeRidder Automatic Flight Service Station between 1318 and 1325. The airplane was equipped with an electronic locator transmitter. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) search and rescue efforts were coordinated by the CAP's Lakefront Wing, at New Orleans, Louisiana.

The pilot's body was found on a beach near the Sabine River Pass, near Port Arthur, Texas, approximately 7 days after takeoff. A flight bag, bearing the pilot's name was also found beached approximately one mile west of the location where the body was found.

An autopsy and toxicological tests were performed. The autopsy was conducted by the Jefferson County Morgue on November 5, 1995. No sign of trauma was found and the cause of death was determined to be from drowning. Toxicological tests were negative.

According to the airplane's owner there were 2 life vests aboard the airplane. No reports regarding any trace of the wreckage have been received by the United States Coast Guard or any of the major operators in the gulf coast. It is presumed that the airplane was destroyed.