# NTSB MIA84FA126: Cessna 402B, N44NC, Missing Acft, MS, March 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1984
- Place: Missing Acft, MS
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA126

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THIS ACFT DISAPPEARED ON A FLT FROM FT LAUDERDALE, FL TO BIMINI, BAHAMAS. AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ACFT FLT PLAN WAS ACTIVATED BY RADIO. THIS WAS THE LAST COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT. AN ITAP RADAR READOUT REVEALED AN ACFT FLT THAT DEPARTED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. THIS TARGET HEADED FOR BIMINI, & AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN, SLOWED TO 90 KTS AIRSPEED. ABOUT 4 MINUTES LATER THE TARGET ENTERED A 5400 FPM RATE OF DESCENT AND DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR. TWO WITNESSES SAW AN ACFT CRASH INTO THE WATER NEAR BIMINI BETWEEN 0830 AND 0900 ON 3/31. THE MISSING ACFT DEPARTED FT LANDERDALE AT 0823 ON 3/31/84. THE INJURY INDEX & ACFT DAMAGE ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44NC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44NC-1988-12-16), registration cancelled 1988-12-16, S/N 402B0852 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0852
- Airframe hours: 6387
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Associated Air Service
- Registered owner: Owen C. Bell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 19, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: FLL, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: MYBS, BIMINI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,510 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840331018249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840331018249A), Mar 31, 1984: Cessna 402B, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Became missing on a VFR flight to bimini Bahamas. No trace of aircrft or occupants found. Presumed down in ocean.

## Other investigations on N44NC (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC78FCD22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78FCD22), May 11, 1978: Cessna 402B (N44NC), Keokuk, IA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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